The Shah of Iran and his wife, Empress Farah, began a three-day state visit to Jordan on Monday (6 January). They were met at Amman Airport by King Hussein, Prince Mohammed and Prime Minister Zaid Al-Rifai.

At a State dinner in his honour that night the Shah said iran would give all possible assistance to the Jordanian people in their efforts to develop their country.

During their formal talks -- held on Tuesday (7 January) -- the two leaders were expected discuss the long-standing dispute between Iran and Iraq. King Hussein is mediating between the two countries, under a resolution adopted by the Arab summit conference in Rabat last October.

The Shah is to follow his Jordanian visit with talks in Cairo with Egypt's President Sadat.