AMMAN, 8 January — Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, arrived here yesterday for talks with Jordan's King Abdallah on ways of strengthening bilateral ties.
At the military airport in Amman, Prince Sultan discussed issues of mutual concern with King Abdallah and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, who was in Jordan for talks on the Middle East peace process.
Prince Sultan is expected to review with the Jordanian leadership recent developments in the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations. He will also discuss bilateral relations with Prime Minister Ali Abul Ragheb, who also holds the portfolio of defense minister.
Ragheb hosted a luncheon in honor of Prince Sultan and his accompanying delegation at Amman Inter.Continental. The function was attended by top Jordanian officials including Dr. Fayez Tarawna, chief of the royal court.
Earlier on arrival, Prince Sultan was greeted at the airport by King Abdallah, Palestinian leader Arafat, Prime Minister Ragheb, Prince Faisal ibn Hussein, Prince Ali ibn Hussein, and Crown Prince Hamza ibn Hussein.
King Abdallah met with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd last month in Makkah when he visited the Kingdom to perform Umrah, the lesser pilgrimage.
According to a Saudi Royal Court statement on Saturday, Prince Sultan will travel to Damascus for talks with Syrian President Bashar Assad after the conclusion of his two-day visit to Jordan.
Prince Sultan left for Amman earlier yesterday from the northeastern military city of Hafr Al-Baten. He was seen off at the King Khaled Military City Airport by Eastern Province Governor Prince Muhammad ibn Fahd, Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Nafie, commander of the Northern Province, and Maj. Gen. Omar Babaer, commander of the Peninsula Shield.
Prince Sultan was accompanied by Lt. Gen. Prince Turki ibn Nasir, special adviser, Prince Khaled ibn Abdullah, Prince Sattam ibn Saud, Prince Faisal ibn Saud and Prince Faisal ibn Sultan, secretary-general of Prince Sultan Charitable Foundation.
