Following a meeting with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in Amman, Jordan's prime minister on Monday urged the international community to financially support the Palestinian Authority so it can pay the salaries of government employees.

The official Petra news agency reported that Prime Minister Marouf al-Bakhit also discussed ways to revive the Mideast peace talks during his meeting with Abbas.

Both men talked about the recent internal Palestinian fighting between militiamen from the ruling Hamas party and Abbas' Fatah organization.

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On Sunday, eight people were killed when Hamas militiamen used guns, anti-tank launchers and grenades to break up protests over unpaid government salaries, touching off gun battles in Gaza City with security personnel loyal to Abbas.

"We carry big hopes that the Palestinian brothers would do their utmost to save the dignity of the Palestinian blood, end their infighting and reach a unified position," al-Bakhit told reporters in Amman.

Al-Bakhit's meeting with Abbas came as U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was set to arrive in the region to try to renew efforts to revive the stalled Mideast peace talks. She plans stops in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Israel and the West Bank.

Egyptian President and Jordanian king call for end to violence
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Sunday discussed the situation in the Middle East - including the increased strife among Palestinians - during a visit by Jordanian King Abdullah II in the Egyptian capital.

Following their meeting, both leaders called for self-restraint among Palestinian factions following fierce infighting in the Gaza Strip.

"How could we call on [our foreign counterparts] to help push for peace, and risk being faced with their questions regarding what is currently happening in the Palestinian arena?" Mubarak asked and added, "Do these events pave the way for the reinstatement of the peace process?"

The Gaza Strip on Sunday experienced wide-scale unrest as at least eight Palestinians were killed and 100 others wounded in day-long clashes between militants from the armed wing of Fatah and militia from the ruling Hamas movement.

"The Palestinian internal fighting is a red line that must not be crossed," Mubarak said after he and Abdullah shared iftar, the sunset meal that breaks the daylight fast of Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan.

"It is not acceptable for such clashes to go on, especially at a time when a unified stance is urgently needed so that we can go back to the negotiations table," he added.

The two leaders told the press they believed the current situation could result in repercussions for the Palestinian people.

"This point in time is critical in the history of the Palestinian cause," Mubarak said. "The Palestinians should have a unified voice, and should prove that there exists a Palestinian partner that could be negotiated with in the establishment of an independent and legitimate state."

The leaders also discussed efforts to strengthen Sudan's security and again expressed their unwavering support for the Lebanese government.

They also called on the international community to continue sending humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, who they said are in dire need of help under an almost-constant Israeli blockade and who are downcast by worsening living conditions following a cut in US aid.

Abdullah, who arrived in the afternoon, left Cairo following the meal banquet.

Egypt's state-owned Al-Ahram daily newspaper reported Friday that unnamed Arab diplomats in Cairo said Washington was trying to persuade moderate Arab states to put more pressure on Hamas to work with Abbas to resume peace talks with Israel. The Islamic group Hamas dominates the Palestinian Cabinet and holds a majority in the legislature.

Egypt and Jordan are two of Israel's Arab neighbors that signed peace treaties and have full diplomatic relations. Both countries also are close allies of the United States.

Abdullah's visit comes two days before U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is scheduled to arrive in Egypt, where she is set to meet eight Arab foreign ministers in an effort to revive stalled Middle East peace talks.