Syria FM on rare visit to Jordan signaling improved ties

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem made a rare visit to Jordan on Sunday, signaling improved relations between the two Arab neighbors. Moallem, who came for a one-day visit, met behind closed doors with Jordanian Prime Minister Nader al-Dahabi. He was also scheduled to meet separately with his Jordanian counterpart, Salaheddine al-Bashir, and possibly Jordan's King Abdullah II. Little details emerged from Moallem's talks, which follow a Nov. 18 surprise visit by Abdullah to Damascus, where he met with President Bashar Assad. At the time, Jordanian government officials said Abdullah urged Assad to send a representative to the US-sponsored international peace conference, which was held in Annapolis, Maryland on Nov. 27.