Obama to meet with Jordan's King Abdullah II

The fight against the Islamic State, the civil war in Syria, and Middle East peace efforts in general will be on the agenda next month when Jordan's King Abdullah II visits the White House to confer with President Obama.

The meeting will be Dec. 5, the White House announced Wednesday.

Jordan faces both threats from the Islamic State and a flood of refugees from ongoing armed conflicts in Iraq and Syria.

The United States and allies are conducting airstrikes against Islamic State positions in Iraq and Syria and training local forces to carry the fight on the ground.

Obama and Abdullah will also discuss "steps to calm tensions in Jerusalem," said a White House statement, a reference to ongoing tensions between the Israelis and Palestinians.

The president and the Jordan king last met in September on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Wales.

"The President looks forward to discussing with King Abdullah opportunities to strengthen the U.S.-Jordan strategic partnership and advance our political, economic, and security cooperation," the White House said.