The two leaders discussed the Israel-Palestinian situation

They also discussed the recent agreement between Palestinian factions to form a national unity government.

The tensions over Iran's nuclear programme and the violence in Iraq were also on the agenda for discussions.

Mr Putin, on the last leg of a Mid-East tour, was also to meet Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in Amman.

President Putin was greeted by King Abdullah at Amman's hilltop Basman Palace and inspected a guard of honour.

Mr Putin said Russia wanted to play its part in the peace process.

"We are constantly in contact, exchanging views on the developments in the region and, obviously, on the most acute problem of the Palestinian-Israeli settlement," he said.

Mr Putin arrived in Jordan after visiting Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Analysts say his visit comes amid signs that Russia is seeking to reinvigorate its contacts in the Middle East.

Historic visit

Jordan's chief government spokesman, Nasser Judeh, said Mr Putin's visit was "very important and welcomed".

"Russia is an important member of the Quartet and a country that has every interest in seeing a revival of the peace process and a permanent peace settlement in the Middle East," he said.

Mr Putin arrived in Jordan after a brief visit to Qatar

The Quartet of Middle East mediators comprises the EU, the UN, the US and Russia.

Jordan has been working to restart the stalled peace process and on Monday the Jordanian king met Mr Abbas for talks.

As well as the Israeli-Palestinian issue, Mr Putin was also expected to discuss energy and economic ties with Jordanian officials.

In Qatar, he held talks with Emir Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and in Saudi Arabia, the first visit to the country by a Russian head of state, Mr Putin met Saudi King Abdullah.

The BBC's Russian affairs analyst Steven Eke says that Mr Putin's tour of these pro-western Middle Eastern nations comes at a time when Moscow's disillusionment with the West is growing.

Last weekend, at a prestigious European security conference, the Russian president launched a broadside against American foreign policy, accusing Washington of unilateralism.