His Majesty King Abdullah II left Amman for Berlin on a three-day visit to Germany where will hold talks with German President Johannes Rau, Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and other senior officials. The talks are expected to focus on bilateral ties, ways of promoting cooperation in the political, economic and cultural fields, the current situation in the Middle East and other issues of common interest.

During the visit, the King will also meet with members of the German parliament, the mayor of Berlin and members of the German Foreign Relations Council.

The king will also visit the city of Munich and a number of industrial and scientific sites and meet with representatives of German companies and economic figures.

His Majesty was accompanied by the prime minister, Royal Court chief, the ministers of foreign affairs, planning and finance and president of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone.

His Royal Highness Prince Faisal Ben Al Hussein was sworn in as Regent in the presence of cabinet ministers.