The president said in connection with a photo opportunity on Monday that King is a “good, loyal and decent friend”.
“You have always been there, and we will always be there for Jordan,” Biden said.
“You can always count on me, my country and many of our allies in the region,” King Abdullah said.
Jordan is one of the United States’ most important allies in the Middle East and is often seen as a stable oasis in the conflict-ridden region. King Abdullah is considered by Washington to be a prudent and pragmatic leader who can mediate in a troubled region.
In addition to meeting with the President, King Abdullah will have breakfast with Vice President Kamala Harris and meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Monday’s meeting is the first of three between Biden and Middle East leaders. On 26 July, he will receive Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, after which a meeting with Israel’s new Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is expected.
Jordan’s usually harmonious royal house has recently been rocked by a scandal. Earlier in July, two men were sentenced to prison by Jordan’s Security Court, charged with plotting to overthrow the king and replace him with his half-brother Hamza.
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