The World - News from May 6, 1986

Syrian President Hafez Assad visited Amman, Jordan, for the first time in nearly a decade, capping an eight-month effort to improve ties between the estranged Arab neighbors. Jordan’s King Hussein greeted him with the traditional Arab kiss on each cheek before the two men traveled to Hussein’s hilltop palace for talks. Details of the talks were not released. Assad’s trip completes a round of visits that started in September, when Saudi Arabia hosted the two nations’ prime ministers. They differ over the Persian Gulf War and approaches to peace with Israel, among other issues.