His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday received US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, who is currently visiting the Kingdom within a regional tour.

King Abdullah and Panetta discussed means to boost ties between Jordan and the United States, and the latest developments in the Middle East, mainly the situation in Syria.

The meeting was attended by Director of the King's Office Imad Fakhoury, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mashal Zaben, Director of the General Intelligence Department Lieutenant General Faisal Al Shoubaki and the US Ambassador to Jordan Stuart Jones.