Three terrorists were shot dead in Amman, the capital of Jordan, on Monday, report agencies.

A Jordanian news agency quoted the police as saying that the shootout occured in the capital's Hashemi district.

"Information made available to security authorities pointed to the presence of an armed group which had plotted to carry out terror attacks," the statement said.

In another development, Jordan's King Abdullah -- a moderate known to be close to the US and one of the two Arab nations with a peace pact with Israel -- postponed a meeting with US President George Bush citing concerns over American policy in West Asia. This followed Bush's endorsement of an Israeli offer to trade areas in the West Bank and certain stretches of the Gaza Strip while keeping other tracts claimed by the Palestinians. 

The meeting with President Bush would not be held ``until discussions and deliberations are concluded with officials in the American administration to clarify the American position on the peace process and the final situation in the Palestinian territories, especially in light of the latest statements by officials in the American administration,'' said a statement issued by the palace.