Amman - King Abdullah II of Jordan is to visit Spain and a number of Latin American countries starting October 18, the royal court announced Wednesday.

The monarch, who will be accompanied by Queen Rania, will visit Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Honduras and Cuba.

King Abdullah's Latin American tour has the aim of building up "strategic ties, particularly in the economic and commercial spheres, between Jordan and the Latin American continent which is becoming an effective player in the world economy," the agency quoted a senior royal court official as saying.

The Jordanian head of state will also have talks with leaders of Spain and Latin American countries on Middle East affairs and efforts that can be made by those countries to help maintain peace and stability in the Middle East, he added. (dpa)