German Chancellor Angela Merkel has arrived in Jordan for talks with King Abdullah about regional developments. It is the first stop of her three-day visit to the Middle East.
Ms. Merkel Saturday is expected to discuss with the Jordanian monarch the Arab peace plan for Israel, as well as the situation in Iraq.
The trip will allow Ms. Merkel to continue the European Union's diplomatic efforts in the Middle East while her country holds the EU's rotating presidency.
The German chancellor's trip follows a recent agreement among Arab countries to revise a 2002 peace plan with Israel. Ms. Merkel acknowledged before her trip that the plan shows some progress, but she also warned that it poses some difficult challenges.
Ms. Merkel also is scheduled to travel to Israel, the Palestinian territories and Lebanon.
Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
