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Russian leader in Amman for talks Jordan talks conclude Putin tour
(about 22 hours later)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in the Jordanian capital, Amman, on the final leg of his three-nation Middle East tour. Russian President Vladimir Putin and King Abdullah II of Jordan have held talks in Amman on ways of reviving the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
He is scheduled to hold talks on Tuesday with King Abdullah II and the Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas. They also discussed the recent agreement between Palestinian factions to form a national unity government.
A Jordanian spokesman said he hoped Mr Putin's visit would help restart the Middle East peace process. The tensions over Iran's nuclear programme and the violence in Iraq were also on the agenda for discussions.
Mr Putin arrived in Jordan from Qatar, after having held two days of talks in Saudi Arabia. Mr Putin, on the last leg of a Mid-East tour, was also to meet Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in Amman.
Analysts say the visit comes amid signs Russia is seeking to reinvigorate its contacts in the Middle East. President Putin was greeted by King Abdullah at Amman's hilltop Basman Palace and inspected a guard of honour.
Mr Putin said Russia wanted to play its part in the peace process.
"We are constantly in contact, exchanging views on the developments in the region and, obviously, on the most acute problem of the Palestinian-Israeli settlement," he said.
Mr Putin arrived in Jordan after visiting Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Analysts say his visit comes amid signs that Russia is seeking to reinvigorate its contacts in the Middle East.
Historic visitHistoric visit
Jordan's chief government spokesman, Nasser Judeh, said Mr Putin's visit was "very important and welcomed".Jordan's chief government spokesman, Nasser Judeh, said Mr Putin's visit was "very important and welcomed".
"Russia is an important member of the Quartet and a country that has every interest in seeing a revival of the peace process and a permanent peace settlement in the Middle East," he said."Russia is an important member of the Quartet and a country that has every interest in seeing a revival of the peace process and a permanent peace settlement in the Middle East," he said.
The Quartet of Middle East mediators comprises the EU, the UN, the US and Russia. Mr Putin arrived in Jordan after a brief visit to QatarThe Quartet of Middle East mediators comprises the EU, the UN, the US and Russia.
Jordan has been working to restart the stalled peace process and on Monday the Jordanian king met Mr Abbas for talks.Jordan has been working to restart the stalled peace process and on Monday the Jordanian king met Mr Abbas for talks.
As well as the Israeli-Palestinian issue, Mr Putin is also expected to discuss energy and economic ties with Jordanian officials. As well as the Israeli-Palestinian issue, Mr Putin was also expected to discuss energy and economic ties with Jordanian officials.
In Qatar, he held talks with Emir Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and in Saudi Arabia, the first visit to the country by a Russian head of state, Mr Putin met Saudi King Abdullah.In Qatar, he held talks with Emir Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and in Saudi Arabia, the first visit to the country by a Russian head of state, Mr Putin met Saudi King Abdullah.
The BBC's Russian affairs analyst Steven Eke says that Mr Putin's tour of these pro-western Middle Eastern nations comes at a time when Moscow's disillusionment with the West is growing.The BBC's Russian affairs analyst Steven Eke says that Mr Putin's tour of these pro-western Middle Eastern nations comes at a time when Moscow's disillusionment with the West is growing.
Last weekend, at a prestigious European security conference, the Russian president launched a broadside against American foreign policy, accusing Washington of unilateralism.Last weekend, at a prestigious European security conference, the Russian president launched a broadside against American foreign policy, accusing Washington of unilateralism.
This, our correspondent says, has led some Russian commentators to suggest Mr Putin is challenging - or at least, intends to challenge - America's influence in the Middle East.This, our correspondent says, has led some Russian commentators to suggest Mr Putin is challenging - or at least, intends to challenge - America's influence in the Middle East.