Washington: King Abdullah II of Jordan visits President Barack Obama Tuesday to discuss cooperation toward improving the political and security situations in the Middle East.

A statement issued Wednesday from press secretary Robert Gibbs' office describes Jordan as a close ally and partner of the United States.

It says Obama looks forward to consulting with Abdullah on the search for a comprehensive regional peace in consonance with the Arab Peace Initiative.

Abdullah is a strong supporter of the Saudi Arabia-proposed plan. It offers Israel recognition by all Arabs in exchange for withdrawal from territory it occupied in the 1967 war, establishment of a Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital and a just solution for Palestinian refugees.