US President Joe Biden held Oval Office talks on Monday with Jordan's King Abdullah, a key US ally in a volatile region, in the first of three face-to-face meetings expected soon with Middle East leaders.
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Abdullah, who faced down a challenge to his authority in April from his half-brother, Prince Hamza, met Biden for the first time since the US president took office in January. Biden called the king a "good, loyal, decent friend."
"You've always been there, and we will always be there for Jordan," Biden told reporters during a picture-taking session. He said he wanted to hear about developments in the Middle East from the king.
"You live in a tough neighborhood," he said.
Abdullah said his region has many challenges. "You can always count on me, my country and many of our colleagues in the region," he told Biden.
In the meeting, Biden announced the delivery of more than 500,000 COVID-19 vaccines to Jordan and the two leaders discussed the US-Jordan defense relationship and Syria's humanitarian crisis, the White House said in a statement.
"President Biden commended the important role Jordan plays in the wider stability of the region," it said
