SOUTHERN SHUNEH, Jordan  — Jordan's King Abdullah II says extremism has "grown fat" off of the longstanding conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

"Good faith talks must get going," he said in Saturday remarks at the opening of a two-day meeting of the Geneva-based World Economic Forum on the shores of the Dead Sea.

He pointed to an Arab peace initiative that offers Arab recognition to Israel in exchange for land to Palestinians based on the 1967 borders. The king called on a halt to Jewish settlement construction in territories claimed by the Palestinians for a future state.

The World Economic Forum has gathered 900 participants from 23 countries to discuss Mideast economic growth.