King Abdullah in Kuwait today

Jordan's King Abdullah II heads for Kuwait today on a visit expected to close the issue of disputes between the two states that emerged following the Gulf crisis in 1990.

In a statement to the Kuwaiti daily al-Rai al-Am, Kuwaiti Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah said, "Talks will not follow a set schedule. It is rather a visit of a brother to his brother and the Jordanian King will be a guest in his own country."

The Kuwaiti minister added, "There are no certain agendas or files, and the two leaders will discuss what they may find proper in a good spirit and a high readiness for cooperation."

The Kuwaiti news agency KUNA said that the Jordanian king will discuss with the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah "strengthening bilateral relations in all areas as well as conditions in the Middle East."

Disputes between the two states started in August 1990, when Kuwait accused Amman of backing Iraq. Kuwait froze its relations with Amman until last March when Jordan's embassy in Kuwait was reopened.

Some 300,000 Jordanians of Palestinian origin who used to work in Kuwait were forced to leave it after Kuwait was liberated.

Al-Rai al-Am quoted Jordanian officials as saying that the Kuwaiti government has agreed to pay compensation to the Jordanians who worked in Kuwait before the Iraqi invasion, who were expelled from it after liberation.

The paper added that 25,000 Jordanians, expelled from Kuwait, are demanding to have sums estimated at US $3.3 billion in compensation for their properties and shares in various companies and establishments.