Top US Military Official Visits Jordan's Leader

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) - Jordan's state news agency says King Abdullah II has met with a top American military official visiting to reassure the U.S.-allied leader as the uprising in Egypt reverberates around the Middle East.

Jordan's government is among several in the region facing protests calling for greater political openness and steps to lift people out of poverty.

Abdullah's meeting Sunday with Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, was closed to news media.

The Petra news agency says only that they discussed "bilateral relations and issues of mutual concern." Royal Palace officials did not answer their phones.

Mullen will also visit Israel, which is deeply worried a new Egyptian government will be less friendly to the Jewish state.