Jordan's leader, King Hussein, arrived in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday (21 December) on the last stage of his tour of the Gulf countries. He has also visited Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Doha, and Muscat.

SYNOPSIS: He was greeted by the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zaid Bin Sultan Al-Nahayan. As on his other visits, officials said the reason for the trip was to talk about Middle East developments and bilateral agreements. But, according to Reuters News Agency, the whole purpose of the visit was to win support from the Arab oil producing states for the peace moves made by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat which resulted in the Cairo conference.

Whatever his mission, King Hussein was received warmly by Sheikh Zaid who had arranged for welcoming dais to be built at Abu Dhabi's airport. Both leaders used the dais to take the salute from the officer commanding the guard of honour. The King may have been alone for the welcoming ceremonies, but had not come to Abu Dhabi unassisted.

Included in his high level delegation was the Prime Minister of Jordan, Mr. Modar Badran. And on hand to assist the King, and welcome him at the airport were staff from the Jordanian embassy in the United Arab Emirates.

From the airport King Hussein and Sheikh Zaid went to the Al-Mashraf Palace where the two leaders spoke together alone for half an hour. No details were released, but the King was expected to have told Sheikh Zaid that President Sadat needs full Arab support if he is to get concessions from the Israelis.