Jordan's king visits U.S. on ties, regional issues

WASHINGTON, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Visiting King Abdullah II of Jordan met here on Monday with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and other senior administration officials, discussing bilateral ties and Regional issues, among others.

Pence discussed with King Abdullah about the bilateral relationship, the fight against the Islamic State (IS) and Regional dynamics, said a statement from the White House.

The two also talked about U.S. President Donald Trump's decision "to maintain a residual U.S. presence in Syria," the statement added.

Also on Monday, the King held talks with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan separately, discussing Regional security issues, according to statements provided by the U.S. State and Defense departments.

The King reportedly held a 45-minute meeting with President Trump's Middle East peace team, including Pompeo, Trump's senior advisor Jared Kushner and U.S. Mideast envoy Jason Greenblatt, at the Jordanian ambassador's residence on Monday.

On Sunday, the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced resuming the fight against the last redoubt of the IS in eastern Syria after a deadline was given to the IS and their families.

It is reported that the White House is preparing to roll out its long-promised peace deal for the Middle East, which Trump called the "deal of the century."

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has confirmed that the Palestinian side would neither hold talks with the Trump administration nor accept it as a peace mediator before it backs down on its decision on Jerusalem.

In December 2017, the United States recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital, an unconventional step sparKing global outcry and Palestinians' rejection of the U.S. mediation role.