Biden discusses Syria with Jordanian king

U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden on Wednesday discussed the ongoing efforts to end conflict in Syria with visiting King Abdullah II of Jordan. During meeting over breakfast at the Naval Observatory in Washington D.C., the duo talked about continuing efforts to bring about a political transition in Syria, including "how best to address the growing threat of violent extremism" fueled by the protracted Syrian conflict, the White House said in a readout of the meeting. Both sides agreed "on the urgent need for greater humanitarian access inside Syria" and continued support for Syrian refugees and host communities, said the White House. As a neighboring country, Jordan is housing some 591,000 Syrian refugees, as more are fleeing Syria where conflicts have dragged on since March 2011. Peace talks between the Syrian government and parts of the opposition in Geneva, Switzerland, are not making much progress. U.S. President Barack Obama is scheduled to meet with King Abdullah II Friday at Annenberg Estate in the U.S. state of California, with focus on the Mideast peace process and the Syrian civil war.