Canada PM Harper to make first official Mideast trip

Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper will make his first official trip to the Middle East from January 18 through 25, stopping in Israel, the West Bank and Jordan.
There, Harper will meet with political and business leaders and others to discuss trade and security matters, including "persistent threats posed by the Iranian regime, the ongoing instability in Syria and the Middle East peace process," his spokesman Jason MacDonald told a briefing.
Specifically the prime minister is expected to hold direct talks with Israeli leaders Benjamin Netanyahu and Shimon Peres, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and King Abdullah II of Jordan.

Harper will be accompanied by a sizeable delegation that will include ministers of employment, foreign affairs, industry, international development, resources and trade.
Canada has free trade agreements with both Israel and Jordan.