CAIRO: Jordan s King Abdullah II is due in Cairo Wednesday to discuss latest developments in the region with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, a statement from the presidency said Tuesday.

The two leaders will focus in particular on the situation on the Palestinian front, spokesman Suleiman Awad said.

President Hosni Mubarak is eager to pursue contacts with all the regional and international partners, with the aim of calming the situation in the [Palestinian territories] between the Palestinian factions, Awad said. The veteran leader, who has actively mediated between Israel and the Palestinians, is also eager to pursue contacts with the Israeli side because Israel is the occupying power and because Egypt believes that achieving any progress towards an Israeli-Palestinian peace is the key to resolving the conflicts of the region, Awad said. Mubarak issued Monday his latest call for the Palestinians to put an end to internecine fighting. Since Wednesday, more than 16 people have been killed and 70 wounded in Gaza battles between factions loyal to the Islamist Hamas party and the secular Fatah party.