Ammon News - CAIRO - His Majesty King Abdullah II arrived in Cairo on Tuesday on a brief working visit to Egypt during which he held talks with Head of the Supreme Council of the Egyptian Armed Forces Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi.

Talks focussed on means of forging closer cooperation between the two countries in vairous fields, the current situation in the region as well as issues of common interest.

The King was accompanied by Royal Court Chief Khaled Karaki and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Lt. General Mashal Mohammad Zaben.

His Majesty King Abdullah II on Tuesday discussed with Chairman of Egypt's ruling Supreme Military Council , Field Marshal, Mohamed Hussein Tantawi ways to cement Jordanian-Egyptian ties in various domains and a number of other issues of common concern.

The King stressed, during extensive discussion followed by a one-on-one meeting with Tantawi, Jordan's keenness to bolster relations and build on them in a host of areas to achieve benefit for the peoples of the two countries.

King Abdullah expressed the hope that Egypt would maintain its leading role in the Arab world and the region and realize its people's aspirations for development and democracy.

The talks, followed by a luncheon hosted by the Egyptian leadership in honor of the King, also tackled latest developments in the Arab world and attempts to push peacemaking forward. The two countries agreed to maintain consultation and coordination to serve Arab causes.

The meeting was attended by Royal Court Chief Khaled Karaki, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Lt. General Meshal Mohammad Zaben, Egyptian Prime Minister Issam Sharaf and a number of senior officials from both sides.

Upon arrival at the Egyptian Defense Ministry, King Abdullah was accorded an official welcoming ceremony led by Tantawi as a military band played the national anthems of both countries.

His Majesty King Abdullah II returned home on Tuesday at the end of the brief working visit to Egypt and talks with the country's ruling Supreme Military Council Chief Field Marshal Mohammad Hussein Tantawi.

*Petra