Jordan's King Abdullah II on Sunday ordered the release of 19 political activists charged with insulting him during pro-reform demonstrations last month, a palace official said.

"The king instructed the government to take all necessary measures as soon as possible to release the jailed activists," some of them from the southern city of Tafileh, he told Agence France Presse.

Around 1,500 people, mostly opposition Islamists, demonstrated in the center of Jordan's capital on Friday to reject a proposed electoral law, saying it "rigs people's will."

"The people reject martial laws. We demand a modern and democratic elections law," read a banner carried by demonstrators, including trade unionists and political party members, as they marched from Al-Husseni mosque to nearby city hall.

Al-Qaida on Tuesday threatened to attack Britain if it decides to extradite to Jordan the radical Islamist Abu Qatada, once believed to be an aide to Osama bin Laden.

In a statement signed by al-Qaida's general command and published on jihadist forums, the terror network said Abu Qatada's extradition would "open the gates of evil" onto "Britain and its citizens everywhere."

Nearly 200 Jordanians demonstrated in Amman on Sunday to demand the release of 19 jailed political activists charged with insulting King Abdullah II.

The protesters, mostly Islamist youths, demonstrated outside the prime minister's office, urging the king to free the young activists.

Jordan's King Abdullah II on Sunday reiterated calls to find a political solution in Syria and avoid more bloodshed in the neighboring country, where thousands have been killed in violence.

"Jordan believes in finding a solution to the Syrian crisis in line with Arab consensus and believes in supporting (peace envoy) Kofi Annan," a palace statement quoted the king as telling a U.S. congressional delegation.

Nearly 1,500 Jordanians demonstrated on Friday across the country to demand the release of 19 detained political activists charged with insulting the king, and also calling for reforms.

In the capital Amman, more than 400 Islamists and trade unionists held a sit-in near the University of Jordan to condemn corruption and the detention of the young activists.

In the darkness, it was impossible for Umm Eddine to see her two eldest children as they trekked from Syria to Jordan. She wanted to call out, but knew any sound could attract army sniper fire.

When she set out into the cold night with her four offspring and several other families, the men smuggling them warned they must remain silent.

Jordan has nudged Israeli and Palestinian negotiators back to discussions on the peace process, a government official said on Thursday, adding that the two sides had met in Amman during the night.

"Israeli and Palestinian officials met last night in Amman for discussions," the official told Agence France Presse, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Italy on Monday called on Syrian opposition groups to be "cohesive" and urged the U.N. Security Council to set a timeline for further pressure on President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

"We stress the need that all political opposition forces must have a common agenda and in a cohesive way," Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi said at a joint news conference with his Jordanian counterpart Nasser Judeh.

Jordanian military prosecutors on Sunday charged 13 political activists with incitement against the regime, rioting and insulting King Abdullah II, a day after police broke up their demonstration.

"State Security Court prosecutors accused the 13 of inciting the public against the country's political regime, rioting and insulting the king," a court official told Agence France Presse.