Amman - Jordanian Prime Minister Nader Dahabi on Monday urged Israel to stop all settlement activity in the Palestinian territories, saying such practices "do not serve the quest of peace".

Dahabi was speaking at a meeting with the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Robert Serry. He also urged a continuation of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians "regardless of political developments".

Dahabi alluded to the political instability in Israel resulting from the resignation of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert against the background of a series of corruption charges.

From his part, Serry said the United Nations, through its role in the Middle East Quartet, would continue to press the Palestinians and Israelis to reach a peace agreement in the coming months, according to a statement from the premier's office. (dpa)