Boris Johnson welcomes Jordan’s economic momentum in talks with King Abdullah

King Abdullah became the first Arab monarch to meet Mr Johnson since his appointment as prime minister

Boris Johnson and King Abdullah II of Jordan ahead of a working lunch and talks. AFP

Jordan’s King Abdullah on Wednesday become the first Arab leader to visit London’s Downing Street since Boris Johnson became Britain's prime minister last month.

Mr Johnson welcomed Jordan’s economic reforms and urged for continued momentum, a Downing Street spokesperson said. He also thanked King Abdullah for his country’s support and hosting of Syrian refugees, and Jordan’s role in “maintaining regional stability.”

The two men had a working lunch and held talks.

The Jordanian economy has been struggling and the country suffers from high unemployment but officials have sought to find a way through the problem.

“The Prime Minister welcomed the King’s progress in delivering economic reforms and urged continued momentum,” a Downing Street spokesperson said.

Mr Johnson is looking for new trading partners outside of Europe as his new government ramps up preparations for a no-deal Brexit on October 31. Critics say this would devastate the economy, lead to huge job losses and a recession.

Mr Johnson has repeatedly insisted the UK will leave the European Union with or without a withdrawal agreement on October 31 despite many in parliament deriding this.

Eurosceptics such as Mr Johnson argue that Brexit will bring about a wealth of opportunities to do more business with countries across the globe, rather than being rigidly kept by EU legislation.

The UK has become embroiled in tensions in the Arabian Gulf with Iran after a British-flagged ship was seized by Iran revolutionary guards last month. It came only weeks after an Iranian oil tanker was detained by UK troops off Gibraltar.

It has now joined a US-led maritime mission to ensure freedom of navigation in the Gulf and to escort merchant vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

Britain has so far failed to convince other European allies to also partake in the naval coalition.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The leaders also acknowledged Jordan’s important role in maintaining regional stability and the Prime Minister thanked the King for the part Jordan continues to play in hosting Syrian refugees.”

King Abdullah, who trained in his younger days at the British Army’s officer college, the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, will spend Eid Al Adha in the UK and US.

“King Abdullah’s meeting with Prime Minister Johnson will cover the deep-rooted, strategic relations between Jordan and the UK, and current regional developments,” the Jordan News Agency had said earlier in the day.

The King, a long-time friend of the UK, was in London in February at a conference dedicated to bolstering Jordan’s economic opportunities. He emphasised the burden Jordan felt after taking in well over one million Syrian refugees but said its young population and location meant it was ripe for economic development.

“Jordan and the UK are like old friends who have learnt over the years they can count on each other whatever the weather. Our countries have been friends through sunshine and storm,” King Abdullah said in February.