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- King says he draws strength, courage from Jordanians, JAF, security agencies, retired military personnel

- His Majesty says he knows military retirees are ready to don their military fatigues once again, stand by his side against all challenges

- King reaffirms that preserving Jordan’s interest, stability above all considerations, stresses importance of working to rebuild Gaza without displacing Palestinians in Gaza, West Bank

- His Majesty says achieving just peace on basis of the two-state solution is only way to guarantee regional stability 

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday reaffirmed Jordan’s firm stance on the Palestinian cause, in rejection of displacement, resettlement, and an alternative homeland.

During a meeting with military retirees at the Royal Hashemite Court, on the occasion of Veterans Day, attended HRH Crown Prince Hussein, His Majesty stressed that his position has not and will not change, a Royal Court statement said. 

 “For 25 years, I have been saying no to displacement, no to resettlement, no to the alternative homeland,” the King said, denouncing those who question these firm positions.

The King expressed optimism despite all the challenges, stressing that he draws strength and courage from Jordanians, the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF) and security agencies, as well as retired military personnel.

His Majesty said he knows military retirees are ready to don their military fatigues once again and stand by his side against all challenges. 

Speaking about his recent visit to Washington, DC, the King reaffirmed that preserving Jordan’s interest and stability and protecting Jordan and Jordanians are above all considerations, stressing the importance of working to rebuild Gaza without displacing Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, the statement said.

His Majesty reiterated the importance of de-escalation in the West Bank, highlighting that achieving just peace on the basis of the two-state solution is the only way to guarantee stability in the region. 

The King expressed pride in the JAF and security agencies, and their sacrifices to protect Jordan and safeguard its resources, noting the importance of the role of military retirees and their expertise in enhancing Jordan’s achievements and institutions.

His Majesty also thanked Jordanians for the warm welcome he received upon his return from the United States, the statement said. 

Speaking on behalf of military retirees, retired Maj. Gen. Ismail Al Shobaki spoke of His Majesty’s continued support for brothers in arms and veterans, who have full confidence in the King’s leadership and wisdom in dealing with various challenges.  

Shobaki praised His Majesty's keenness on protecting Jordanian interests and standing by Arab brethren, especially Palestinians, by rejecting their displacement and supporting the establishment of their own independent state.

Shobaki also highlighted the importance of the Hashemite Custodianship of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. 

Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi, General Intelligence Department Director Maj. Gen. Ahmad Husni, Public Security Directorate Director Maj. Gen. Obaidallah Maaytah, Acting Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Assistant for Operations and Training Brig. Gen. Naji Manaseer, and Economic and Social Association of Retired Servicemen and Veterans Director retired Maj. Gen. Adnan Al Raqqad attended the meeting.

AMMAN — Reuters acknowledged it made a mistake misquoting His Majesty King Abdullah during his meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington DC on February 11. 

Reuters said the news alert it published on February 11 during the meeting between the two leaders at White House was "misleading" and "withdrawn."

In a media advisory on Monday, a copy of which was sent to The Jordan Times, Reuters said the "following alert published on February 11 and headlined "JORDAN'S KING, ASKED ABOUT TAKING IN PALESTINIANS, SAYS WE HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND HOW DO WE MAKE THIS WORK THAT IS IN EVERYONE’S BEST INTEREST ", is misleading and is withdrawn. No substitute alert will be published."

Reuters said the alert was based upon the following remark from the King when asked about a US, proposal for his country to take in Palestinians from Gaza:

"We have to keep in mind that there is a plan from Egypt and the Arab countries. We've been invited by Mohammed bin Salman to have discussions in Riyadh. I think the point is, is how to make this work in a way that is good for everybody. Obviously, we have to look at the best interests of the United States, of the people in the region, especially to my people of Jordan."

Reuters said the February 11 alert did not contain his prefacing comment about an Arab proposal for Gaza. A separate Reuters story (Trump presses Jordan to take in Palestinians from Gaza; king opposes displacement) contained the same remark but with the correct context.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday was awarded the Prince Naif Medal for Arab Security of the First Class by the Arab Council of Interior Ministers. 

The prestigious award acknowledges His Majesty's pivotal role in advancing joint Arab security initiatives and his substantial contributions to enhancing security and stability regionally and globally, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

Minister of Interior Mazen Faraya received the award during the 42nd session of the Arab Council of Interior Ministers in Tunisia.

AMMAN —  Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Monday met with President of the Saudi General Court of Audit (GCA) Hussam Al Angari to discuss ways to boost cooperation between Jordan and Saudi Arabia, particularly in the areas of audit and oversight.

Hassan highlighted the importance of ongoing expertise exchange, along with enhanced cooperation and capacity-building efforts, to bolster the work of audit institutions in both countries, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Al Angari commended the high calibre of Jordanian professionals and the strong capabilities of its human resources, expressing a strong interest in leveraging these strengths to further deepen the partnership between the two countries.

AMMAN — Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Zeina Toukan and Director General of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development Waleed Shumlan Al Bahr, on Monday signed two agreements to finance the third phase of the General Education Infrastructure Project and the Roads and Bridges Rehabilitation Project.

Each project is valued at 10 million Kuwaiti dinars, which equals some $32.6 million.

The signing ceremony was attended by the Minister of Public Works and Housing Maher Abu Samhan, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Azmi Mahafzah, and the Kuwaiti Ambassador to Jordan Hamad Rashid Al Marri.

The agreements are part of Kuwait's commitment at the 2018 Makkah Summit to provide Jordan with a concessional loan programme totalling $500 million, meant to support the Kingdom's key development priorities and improve essential public services in various sectors.

The General Education Infrastructure Project will address the need for vocational education facilities through the construction of five technical and vocational schools in Irbid, Amman, Ajloun, Karak and Zarqa. 

With a total of 108 classrooms, these schools will provide expanded opportunities for technical and vocational education and training for students in grades 10 to 12. The new facilities will also help alleviate overcrowding in existing schools.

The Roads and Bridges Rehabilitation Project, which aims to improve traffic flow and road safety throughout the Kingdom, includes the rehabilitation of approximately 2,528 kilometres of roads and the maintenance of several bridges in the northern, central and southern regions of Jordan. The project will also upgrade water drainage systems and implement road safety improvements.

Toukan thanked Kuwait for its continued support, highlighting the strong bilateral relations and fruitful partnership with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development. Since 1962, the Fund has contributed some $2.1 billion to Jordan's development, including $1.33 billion in grants and $778 million in concessional loans.

For his part, Bahr reaffirmed Kuwait's commitment to supporting Jordan's development goals, stressing the continued cooperation between the Kuwait Fund and the Jordanian government to help implement the Kingdom's economic and development plans and ensure the delivery of essential services to its citizens.

AMMAN – The Lower House on Monday approved the Agricultural Risk Mitigation Fund Law for 2024, marking a significant step in addressing agricultural risks and providing crucial support to farmers in Jordan.

During a session chaired by Speaker Ahmad Safadi, lawmakers approved Articles 3 to 14 of the draft law, following the approval of Articles 1 and 2 in a previous session, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

One notable amendment to the draft law was made to Paragraph 4 of Article 3. Originally, the law stipulated that farmers not enrolled in the fund would receive compensation for frost damage at 25 per cent of the damage value. The amendment, passed by a majority vote, raised the compensation rate to 50 per cent.

Lawmakers also voted to reinstate Paragraph 6 of Article 3, as proposed by the government. The paragraph, which focuses on organising agricultural insurance programmes in cooperation with local insurance companies, reversed an earlier decision to remove the phrase "in the Kingdom."

The discussions led to the retention of Paragraph (c) in Article 8, which allows the committee overseeing the Fund to organise agricultural insurance programmes with local insurance companies under a specific regulatory framework.

An additional amendment introduced the term "local" after "product" in Article 9, which relates to the 10 per cent fee on products sold in wholesale markets for vegetables and fruits.

MPs emphasised the importance of continued dialogue with the Jordanian Farmers Union to address their concerns and challenges, stressing the need to ensure food security in the Kingdom.

Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs Abdul Monem Odat said that the primary objective of the Fund is to promote solidarity and cooperation among registered farmers. 

He also highlighted the need to focus on immediate and long-term goals, noting that the compensation system should cover both crop and livestock sectors but should exclude non-participating smallholders.

Regarding compensation distribution, Odat said that a committee would be formed to develop regulations and plans for identifying agricultural risks and establishing compensation schedules.

Minister of Agriculture Khaled Huneifat noted that the law would stimulate investment in Jordan’s agricultural sector, which has grown by 5.8 per cent. 

He also said that Jordan’s self-sufficiency in red meat has risen to 45 per cent, a significant improvement from 28 per cent in 2021.

AMMAN — In the presence of HRH Princess Basma Bint Talal, Chairperson of the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD), the fund on Monday signed cooperation agreements with the Irbid Governorate Council and the Vocational Training Corporation (VTC) to strengthen JOHUD centres' developmental role in Irbid for 2025.

The agreements were signed by Director of Princess Basma Development Centres in Irbid Fahmiyah Azzam, Chairman of the Irbid Governorate Council Khaldoun Bani Hani and Director General of the VTC Ahmed Gharaibeh.

The agreement with the Irbid Governorate Council would provide 45 university scholarships for students from Al Baraha and Al Sareeh and fund 15 income-generating projects for underprivileged families in Al Baraha, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The agreement with the VTC aims to establish a training centre at the Princess Basma Development Center in Mansoura, offering vocational skills to youth in the Wasatiyah and Bani Kinanah districts.

Princess Basma stressed the importance of the cooperation in addressing poverty and unemployment, highlighting the need to equip Jordanian youth with training to thrive in both local and international labour markets. 

She commended the partnerships for their contribution to the Kingdom’s development, modernisation and reform efforts, praising the role of these institutions in supporting Jordan’s strategic goals.

The signing ceremony was attended by Irbid Governor Radwan Otoum and Yarmouk University President Islam Massad.

AMMAN — The Jordan Design and Development Bureau (JODDB) is showcasing its cutting-edge defence solutions at IDEX 2025, the International Defence Exhibition and Conference currently underway in the UAE, running until the 21st of this month.

At the Jordanian Pavilion, JODDB displayed a range of advanced defence, security and future technology systems, featuring products from its affiliated companies and business units, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

A standout exhibit is the upgraded "Beast Crusher" armoured vehicle, incorporating state-of-the-art technology to offer optimal protection for military convoys and personnel in operational environments. 

With formidable firepower, high tactical capabilities, and superior performance in difficult terrain, the vehicle is equipped with advanced day and night surveillance, detection and jamming systems, making it ideal for special operations, rapid response, reconnaissance, protection and peacekeeping missions.

JODDB also showcased a 40mm smoke grenade launcher, capable of firing 15 grenades simultaneously, with both automatic and manual operation modes. The launcher has a range of up to 200 metres and features automatic grenade guidance.

In the field of border security, JODDB presented its integrated security systems, including advanced jamming technologies such as the Signal Striker handheld jammer and the Sky Storm fixed system, specifically designed to counter drone threats.

JODDB also displayed a range of ammunition solutions, including 81mm and 120mm mortar rounds, 155mm artillery shells, MK81, MK82, and MK84 aircraft bombs, as well as various small-calibre ammunition.

JODDB also showcased several virtual reality-based training systems, such as a digital sand table for advanced battlefield planning and the Kill House system, which combines virtual reality with real training equipment like the M4 rifle with a compressed air recoil system to simulate realistic combat scenarios.

The bureau also featured soldier equipment such as bulletproof vests, helmets, and tactical boots, alongside the new JSP 9 pistol, which boasts an innovative needle release system and lighter trigger pull, as well as rifles and optical systems designed for day, night and thermal operations.

Alongside JODDB’s display, the CyberShield Academy promoted its cybersecurity training courses and global initiatives, including the Armython competition, which challenges military and security forces to enhance their cybersecurity skills.

Founded in 1999 by Royal decree, JODDB operates under the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF) and is a leader in the research and development of defence and security technologies. 

The bureau provides high-quality, cost-effective solutions and supports the growth of Jordan’s defence and technology industries.

AMMAN — A Royal Decree was issued on Monday approving the decision of the Sharia Judicial Council to promote several Sharia judges, effective from the beginning of next month.

The decree included the promotion of the following judges to the lowest level of the highest grade: Sheikh Mohammed Hashem Mohammed Azzam, judge at the Sharia Court of Appeal in Amman; Sheikh Ziad Sami Jadaan Al Hajjaj, judge at the Sharia Court of Appeal in Amman, who will also be transferred to the Supreme Sharia Court. 

The decree also promoted Sheikh Khalil Mohammed Eid Al Sukkar, judge at the Sharia Court of Appeal in Amman; and Sheikh Asim Abdulrahim Mohammed Akour, judge at the Sharia Court of Appeal in Irbid, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.