Jordan's King Abdullah to discuss Jerusalem tensions with Biden at White House

Driving the news: Abdullah will arrive in Washington on Tuesday. He is expected to hold meetings with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Tony Blinken, U.S. and Jordanian sources said.

• The king will also have meetings with members of Congress.

What they are saying: Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi told Sky News Arabia that the king will discuss with the Biden administration the need to maintain the status quo at the Al-Aqsa mosque.

• The Al-Aqsa compound, which is important to both Muslims and Jews, is administered by Jordan.
• Safadi said the king will also discuss the new memorandum of understanding about U.S. financial aid to Jordan.
• Abdullah's visit "will reinforce the close friendship and enduring partnership between the United States and Jordan," the White House said. "Jordan is a critical force for stability in the Middle East and strategic partner and ally of the United States."

State of play: Recent violence in Jerusalem led to a crisis between Jordan and Israel. It also destabilized the fragile Israeli government, with the Ra'am party, also known as the United Arab List, suspending its membership in the coalition.

• In recent weeks, there has been a wave of attacks by Palestinians against Israelis and an increase in Israeli military operations in the occupied West Bank.

What to watch: Biden is expected to travel to the Middle East towards the end of June and meet with Israeli and Palestinian Authority officials

• Israeli and Jordanian officials are expected to hold discussions in the coming weeks on the situation in Jerusalem.