Biden hosts Jordan king for talks on Israel-Hamas war

AFP | Washington

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Jordan's King Abdullah II meets US President Joe Biden at the White House for talks yesterday on resolving the Israel-Hamas conflict, as fears grow of an offensive in Gaza's southern city of Rafah.

Amman is a key player in the region and the king is also visiting Canada, France and Germany, amid mounting international efforts for a deal to pause fighting in Gaza and free hostages there.

"They will discuss efforts to produce an enduring end to the crisis," a senior Biden administration official told reporters on Sunday, ahead of the meeting. A deal "requires as a precondition the return of hostages held by Hamas, and then of course, looking ahead at durable long-term peace requires a formula for two states with Israel's security guaranteed."

The US president and First lady Jill Biden will welcome the Jordanian king and Queen Rania to the White House at 2:30pm (1930 GMT), before the two heads of state deliver remarks at 4:00 pm.