WASHINGTON • U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday held Oval Office talks with Jordan’s King Abdullah, a key U.S. ally in a volatile region, in the first of three face-to-face meetings expected soon with Middle East leaders.

Abdullah, who faced down a challenge to his authority in April from his half-brother, Prince Hamza, met Biden for the first time since the U.S. president took power in January. Biden called the king a “good, loyal, decent friend.”

“You’ve always been there, and we will always be there for Jordan,” he told reporters during a photo session. He said he wanted to hear about developments in the Middle East from the king.

“You live in a tough neighborhood,” he said.

Abdullah said his region has many challenges. “You can always count on me, my country and many of our colleagues in the region,” he told Biden.

Abdullah plays a unique role in the Middle East, seen by U.S. officials as a moderate and pragmatic leader who can play a mediating role.

He is the first Middle East leader to visit the Biden White House, to be followed on July 26 by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-kadhimi. U.S. and Israeli officials are working on a meeting soon between Biden and new Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.