Jordan's King Abdullah discusses Syria situation with Putin

King Abdullah of Jordan held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday amid doubts about the fate of deal brokered with the US last year to reduce fighting in southern Syria.

The king said Jordan and Russia had achieved closer co-ordination on creating political conditions for the restoration of peace in the south of Syria but made no direct reference to the "de-escalation" deal in remarks reported by the Russian news agency Tass.

He said Russia was playing a leading role in the effort to end Syria's seven-year conflict and underscored the co-operation between their countries to stabilise the region.

"Of no less importance for the establishment of peace in Syria is the leadership you have demonstrated, co-operation of our two countries and our meeting last year," the king said, referring to his visit to Moscow in January last year.

King Abdullah's meeting with Mr Putin came a day after talks in Amman with visiting US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who also met members of the Syrian opposition in the wake of the peace summit hosted by Russia last month.

Read the full article in The National.