July 19, 2021
2 mins read

Biden to host King Abdullah for broad array of Middle East talks

Abdullah, who faced down a challenge to his authority in April from his half-brother, Prince Hamza, will have his first Oval Office talks with Biden since the US president took power in January….reports Asian Lite News

Abdullah, who faced down a challenge to his authority in April from his half-brother, Prince Hamza, will have his first Oval Office talks with Biden since the US president took power in January….reports

President Joe Biden on Monday will host Jordan’s King Abdullah, a key US ally in a volatile region, in what will be the first of three face-to-face meetings with leaders from the Middle East expected soon.

Abdullah, who faced down a challenge to his authority in April from his half-brother, Prince Hamza, will have his first Oval Office talks with Biden since the US president took power in January.

He will also have a working breakfast with Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday at the vice president’s residence. He will meet Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the State Department on Tuesday.

Abdullah plays a unique role in the Middle East, seen by US officials as a moderate and pragmatic leader who can play a mediating role.

Abdullah is the first Middle East leader to visit the Biden White House, to be followed on July 26 by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi. US and Israeli officials are working on scheduling a meeting soon between Biden and new Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.

A senior Biden administration official said the president’s talks with the king are expected to include the way forward for Israel and the Palestinians with Bennett having recently replaced Benjamin Netanyahu as Israeli prime minister.

Tensions remain high in the wake of the 11-day war in May between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza.

Abdullah’s standing in his own country may come up in the talks. Jordan’s image as an island of stability in the turbulent Middle East was called into question after Prince Hamza was accused of a plot to destabilize the country in April.

Biden has offered full support to Abdullah, who will be joined at the White House by his wife, Queen Rania.

“We have great confidence in the king’s leadership, and I think the visit over the course of the coming days will just reaffirm that confidence,” a senior Biden administration official said.

Other topics likely to come up are the future of the Trump-era Abraham Accords, the normalization deals reached between Israel and four Arab states, negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program and Syria’s humanitarian crisis, the official said.

ALSO READ: Biden to meet Iraqi PM in Washington on July 26

Previous Story

How ‘Toofaan’ affects emotionally

Next Story

American duo sentenced to prison for helping Ghosn flee Japan

Latest from -Top News

U.S. Raises Alarm for Americans in Pakistan

Earlier, the US Department of State had issued a travel advisory in March, also urging its citizens to “reconsider travel to Pakistan due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict.”…reports Asian Lite

Khawaja Asif: Peace Only If India Backs Down

The Indian strikes and Islamabad’s retaliation has jolted locals who fear that it could potentially lead to a full-scale war between the two countries…reports Asian Lite Ndews Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif

India Rising, Pakistan Crumbling

Pakistan is on the verge of economic collapse and is surviving on IMF loans, with its forex reserves down to $15 billion…reports Asian Lite News While Pakistan has threatened to respond forcefully

Israel backs India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’

The military operation struck camps and logistical hubs linked to terror groups held responsible for orchestrating the Pahalgam attack…reports Asian Lite News Israel has voiced strong support for India’s right to defend
Go toTop

Don't Miss

US failed in efforts to destroy Cuba, says Miguel Diaz-Canel

The US has deliberately been destroying Cuba’s economy with its

No evidence of Israel committing genocide in Gaza: US

Both officials insisted that Israel must guarantee long-term improvements to