U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry steps off his plane upon his arrival at the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan, July 16, 2013.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Jordan on Wednesday for discussions with King Abdullah about tensions in Jerusalem, the State Department, according to Reuters news agency.

During his visit, Kerry will also discuss the fight against militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

He will go on to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Friday to participate in the Sir Bani Yas Forum, an annual private gathering of world leaders focused on international security, a department statement said.

His tour in the Middle East follows the Asia-Pacific summit that was held in Beijing.

He was in Oman earlier this week for two days of talks on the Iranian nuclear dispute with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and European Union envoy Catherine Ashton.

Jordan recalled its ambassador from Israel on Nov. 5, the first time it has taken such action since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1994, denouncing what Amman called “violations” at the al-Aqsa mosque.

Tensions over the compound, the third holiest site in Islam and the holiest place in Judaism, have fuelled repeated clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians in recent weeks, culminating in a one-day closure of the mosque last month.

 
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