US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stressed on Monday the need for Palestinians and Israelis to hold political talks, saying the “two-party solution” was likely the best outcome to the conflict. "With respect to the two-state solution, the parties will ultimately make the decision. We are certainly open to a two-party solution as a likely outcome," he said at a news conference in Jordan after a visit to Israel. “We urge the Palestinians to return to political dialogue," he added during a press conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi. "(The Mideast peace) is an incredible priority for the United States to provide whatever assistance we can to allow the two parties to come to a resolution on this incredibly long standing and important conflict,” he continued. Palestinians have boycotted contacts with the US since President Donald Trump announced in December that Washington was recognizing Jerusalem as Israels capital. The Palestinians claim east Jerusalem — captured by Israel in 1967 and then annexed — as the capital of a future state. Trump has said he would support a two-state solution if the two sides agree. The White House is preparing a new Israeli-Palestinian peace plan. Pompeo would not agree with Safadis characterization of the conflict as "the main cause of instability" in the region. "Precisely how to rank it among all the various challenges, Ill defer on that. Know that it is an incredible priority for the United States to provide whatever assistance we can to allow the two parties to come to a resolution,” he remarked. Safadi had opened the news conference with an apparent appeal for the US to boost efforts to end the conflict. "This is the main cause of instability in the region and its resolution is the key to achieving the peace and stability we want," he said. "Yes, the two-state solution is being challenged. Yes, there are many obstacles. But what is the alternative? We cannot give up in our efforts and there is no viable alternative." Pompeos visit is taking place just two weeks before the planned May 14 opening of the new US Embassy in Jerusalem and expected massive Palestinian protests the following day. Over the past month, 39 Palestinians have been killed and more than 1,600 wounded in weekly border protests along the Gaza border, prompting human rights groups to ask Israels Supreme Court on Monday to restrict or ban the use of live ammunition. Amman was Pompeos last stop before he returns to Washington, where he has not yet entered the State Department. Moments after being sworn in as Secretary of State on Thursday, Pompeo immediately left for a meeting in Brussels, followed by a visit to Saudi Arabia, Israel and Jordan. Turning to Syria, he said the US was "in perfect accord" with Jordan on Syria, including the preservation of a "de-escalation zone" in the south. Pompeo said: "We believe there are many countries, including the United States, who will play an important political role in achieving the de-escalation and ultimate political resolution in Syria."