Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi arrived in Amman Monday noon as the first leg of his Middle East tour since his appointment early last month.

During the visit, Allawi is expected to meet with Jordanian King Abdullah II and Prime Minister Faisal Fayez for talks on bilateral relations and the development of the situation in Iraq, the official Petra News Agency reported.

Upon arrival, Allawi and his entourage were received by Fayezand several cabinet ministers.

Allawi said Thursday that he would tour Jordan, Egypt, Syria,the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to opena "new chapter" in Iraq's relations with its neighbors.He also plans trips to Iran, Pakistan and Europe.

Source: Xinhua