King due to hold talks with Saudi monarch in Riyadh

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah will visit Saudi Arabia on Wednesday where he will hold talks with King Salman Bin Abdulaziz. 

Talks will focus on ways to strengthen Jordanian-Saudi cooperation and bilateral ties in various fields, according to a Royal Court statement.

The two leaders will also discuss regional developments and issues of mutual concern.

King Abdullah has been engaged in a flurry of diplomatic activities since the country stepped up its anti-Daesh campaign after the terror group brutally killed captive pilot Muath Kasasbeh.  

On Tuesday, King Abdullah received Commander of the United States Central Command General Lloyd James Austin with whom he reviewed cooperation between the two countries, especially in the military field. 

During a meeting at Al Husseiniya Palace, the two sides reviewed efforts exerted to combat terrorism and radical groups.

Since September, the United States has been leading an international coalition against the terrorist group, which calls itself Islamic State, and Jordan is a partner in the coalition.

Also on Tuesday, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff General Mashal Al Zaben met with Austin, who was accompanied by Maj. Gen. Michael K. Nagata, commander of American Special Operations Forces in the Middle East, at army headquarters. 

The two sides discussed ways to boost cooperation and coordination between the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army and the US army, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.