Joe Biden Meets Jordan's King Abdullah To Discuss Middle East Issues

US President Joe Biden called Jordan's King Abdullah a "good, loyal, decent friend" and discussed with him the US-Jordan defense relationship as well as Syria's humanitarian crisis.

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. 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.