King Abdullah in Spain

Jordan's King Abdullah II met on Wednesday with Spain's King Juan Carlos, who invested him with the Spanish order of merit, excellent class, on the first day of King Abdullah's official visit to Madrid. The visit is expected to convert Jordan's debts to Spain into investments.

King Abdullah arrived in the Spanish capital from Washington after he had stopped in London. He is accompanied by his wife, Queen Rania, Prime Minister Abdul Raouf al-Rawabdeh and several Cabinet ministers.

At Zarzula palace where the two kings exchanged gifts, President Carlos invested his guest with " Ezabella Catholica" award on the occasion of his first official visit to Spain and as an appreciation for the firm relations linking the royal families in the two countries.

King Abdullah was due, during his visit to Spain, to visit the military academy in Tuleitilah and meet with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar. He was also due to have visited the headquarters of Madrid municipality and the Senate council before his return to Amman this morning.