Amman - King Abdullah II of Jordan on Wednesday opened the Fourth Conference of Nobel Prize Laureates at the ancient city of Petra by urging participants to help achieve a peace pact between Israel and the Palestinians before the end of the year and quell extremism which "threatens" world peace.

"The Middle East must move out of this threat zone. The single- most important step is peace: a comprehensive settlement of the Arab- Israeli conflict," the monarch said in his opening address.

"It would be a serious mistake to miss the opportunities we have this year to establish, finally, a sovereign, independent and viable Palestinian state - along with a secure and recognized Israel - in a region that is unified at peace and ready to move forward," he said.

"This work, the work of peace and progress should have all our support," King Abdullah added, while warning that, barring such comprehensive peace, extremists in the region could torpedo world security.

"The security environment is under siege by those who seek to perpetuate conflict and divide people. Extremism feeds on violence and frustration. Un-stopped, such trends would threaten, not only the region's stability and development, but worldwide security, as well," he said.

The monarch underscored the role of Nobel Prize winners as "the best minds and most successful achievers" in empowering the region's youth and helping to raise the standards of living of its peoples through advancing the process of learning sciences and economic development.

"Throughout Jordan, and across the region, millions of people want to be part of a sable, moderate, modern Middle East. Long after today's conflicts are history, their lives will be shaped by what we did, this year, to build the foundation for the region's success," he said.

More than 280 politicians, economists and academics in addition to 30 Noble Prize winners are taking part in the two-day meeting.

It is the fourth such gathering at Petra since 2005. It is held this year under the theme "Advancing Access to Science Education as a Critical Driver of economic Growth and Social progress." (dpa)