``The fact that we all came here to signal our commitment to real peace in the Middle East convinced me I must try to achieve a new beginning to broaden the efforts for peace and make it real,'' he said on Israel Radio from Amman.

Netanyahu said he had met with many Jordanians and representatives of unnamed Arab states and been close to many others during the funeral ``and got the impression that they understand the peace between Israel and Jordan is strong and lasting.''

Netanyahu aid he had not met Assad. ``We weren't in the same tent. There's protocol and I didn't go barging into his tent.''

But in response to a question Netanyahu said he saw Assad's surprise visit, after years of difficult ties with Jordan and knowing Israeli leaders would also be present, asintended to signal his renewed interest in peace.

The Syrian leader for his part held one-to-one talks with Jordan's new king, Abdallah. Syrian news agency Sana reported that the meeting took place at Raghadan Palace following two hours of talks between Assad and Jordanian Foreign Minister Fayez Tarawneh. Syrian Vice-president Abdel-halim Khaddam, Foreign Minister Faruq al-Shara and Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdel Ilah Khatib also sat in the talks.

United States President Bill Clinton marvelled at the unifying force that hovered over ceremonies for King Hussein yesterday. He said the makeup of the Israeli delegation alone showed the monarch will always be a force for progress and compromise in West Asia. ``I could hardly believe my eyes. All the candidates for prime minister,'' Clinton told US embassy workers at a hotel in downtown Amman. ``They were all walking together. I don't know if they talk at home, but they were talking here. It was as if Hussein were hugging them all,'' Clinton said.

``Peoplecoming from all around the world -- countries that are at each other's throats -- here, meeting in peace and friendship, (under) the sanctity of the umbrella of this great man.''