King returns to Jordan after visits to UAE, US

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Saturday returned to Jordan after a visit to the United Arab Emirates preceded by a visit to the United States.

In Abu Dhabi, King Abdullah extended condolences to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan over the passing of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, according to a Royal Court statement.

His Majesty, prior to the visit to Abu Dhabi, had concluded a working visit to the United States, in which he met with US President Joe Biden, accompanied by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, and discussed the strategic partnership between the two countries, in addition to the latest regional and international developments.

In Washington, DC, the King had several meetings with US administration senior officials, including Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk, and US Agency for International Development Administrator Samantha Power.

In addition, His Majesty held meetings with Congress leadership, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, as well as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

The King also met with the US Senate Foreign Relations, Appropriations, and Armed Services committees, in addition to the Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees, and the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programmes Subcommittee at the House of Representatives.

In New York, Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania received the Path to Peace Award presented by the Path to Peace Foundation affiliated with the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations.

Furthermore, His Majesty held meetings with a number of Christian leaders in the US, the president and members of the executive board of the Jordanian American Physicians organisation, a number of distinguished Jordanian physicians based in the US, as well as UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous.

In Tampa, Florida, the King met with Commander of US Central Command Gen. Michael E. Kurilla, and Commander of US Special Operations Command Gen. Richard D. Clarke.