Amman, Jordan ? In a surprise move, King Abdullah II postponed a White House meeting with President Bush this week, citing questions Monday about the U.S. commitment to the Middle East peace process.

The White House played down any hint of friction, saying the Wednesday meeting with Abdullah was rescheduled to the first week of May “because of developments in the region.”

“The king decided this week it was better for him to be in Jordan and we understand that,” said National Security Council spokesman Sean McCormack.

But Abdullah has been in the United States since last week and it was not clear whether he had left.