Abdullah II

Abdullah II äbdool´lä , 1962-, king of Jordan (1999-), b. Amman, educated at Sandhurst and Oxford in England and Georgetown Univ., Washington, D.C. He joined (1984) the Jordanian military, rose swiftly, became (1994) head of Jordan's Special Forces, and attained (1998) the rank of major general. He succeeded to the crown upon the death of his father, Hussein I , whose moderate policies he has continued. Abdullah has attempted to improve Jordan's flagging economy and has supported an independent Palestinian state while maintaining relatively cordial relations with Israel. He has continued Jordan's status as an American ally, but pressed for a peaceful solution to the looming 2003 war with Iraq. Allowing a few hundred U.S. troops to operate antimissile batteries in E Jordan, he refused to permit any other Jordanian military participation in the conflict.

Abdullah II (1962– ) King of Jordan (1999– ). The eldest son of King HUSSEIN by his second wife, Abdullah was named as heir in place of his uncle ( Prince Hassan) in the last days of his father's life.

Abdullah II bin Al Hussein (b. 30 Jan. 1962). King of Jordan, 1999–  Born in Amman, he was the oldest son of King Hussein and his second, English-born wife. Educated at Sandhurst, he studied at Oxford and Georgetown University before joining the Jordanian Army, where in 1994 he became the commanding officer of its elite troops. In January 1999 he was appointed Crown Prince, at the expense of his uncle, who had held that position for over 30 years. His father died two weeks later, and on 7 February he became King. Although relatively inexperienced, his army background and support proved to be a major asset as Abdullah established himself both as the leader of the royal family and within the population at large. He continued his father's policy of promoting the peace process in the Middle East.