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AMMAN — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Monday met with Palestinian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Mustafa, and discussed developments in the Palestinian territories, the ongoing war in Gaza and efforts to end it to alleviate the suffering and injustice facing the Palestinian people.

During the meeting, held at the Prime Ministry, the two sides stressed the strong relations between the two countries, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The two prime ministers, joined by deputy prime minister and foreign minister, the minister of state for prime ministry affairs and other officials, highlighted the importance of continued coordination and consultation to confront the challenges facing the Palestinian cause. 

Hassan underscored the clear directives of His Majesty King Abdullah to support the Palestinian people politically, economically and at all levels.

He also pointed to Jordan’s efforts to stop the war on Gaza, sustain humanitarian aid delivery and end the catastrophe facing the people of Gaza.

Hassan reiterated the Kingdom's unwavering support for the resilience of Palestinians in the West Bank, standing by them until they achieve their full legitimate rights.

 The premier condemned the actions of the Israeli occupation authorities, including attacks on Palestinians, violations of their rights, and settlement policies in the West Bank and Jerusalem. 

He also highlighted Amman's efforts in safeguarding Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, in line with the Hashemite Custodianship "carried out by His Majesty with integrity and responsibility."

The prime minister said that Jordan is intensifying its diplomatic efforts and working with international partners to preserve and support UNRWA to ensure it continues its humanitarian services in line with its UN mandate. 

For his part, Mustafa expressed gratitude for the Kingdom's steadfast positions under King Abdullah's leadership in supporting the Palestinian cause and people.

He stressed that His Majesty is a key advocate for the Palestinian cause, praising King Abdullah's efforts to stop the aggression on Palestinians, provide aid and facilitate international relief efforts for the people of Gaza. 

Mustafa reviewed the latest developments in Palestine, highlighting the ongoing aggression on Gaza, as well as assaults by occupation forces and settlers in the West Bank, including Jerusalem.

Also on Monday Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi met with the Palestinian prime minister.

Safadi and Mustafa reiterated the "strong and historic brotherly" ties between Jordan and Palestine, stressing that these relations are reflected in continuous coordination and joint efforts to support the Palestinian people and their right to freedom and an independent, sovereign state on their national soil.

The two officials discussed ongoing efforts to broker a deal that would end the Israeli aggression on Gaza and address the resulting humanitarian catastrophe.

Safadi stressed that the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state along the pre-1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the two-state solution, remains the only path to achieving peace.

He underscored that His Majesty King Abdullah prioritises devoting all of Jordan’s resources to achieve this goal.

Mustafa expressed "deep" appreciation for the Kingdom's historic positions and the significant efforts led by His Majesty to support the Palestinian people and fulfil their legitimate rights.

He stressed that Jordan remains "Palestine’s closest ally and steadfast supporter of Palestinian rights."

AMMAN — The Kingdom's domestic revenues during the first 11 months of 2024 totalled JD7.908 billion, marking an increase of JD141.7 million compared to the same period in 2023.

Tax revenues during this period amounted to JD5.876 billion, including JD3.885 billion from general sales tax on goods and services, JD1.655 billion from income and profit taxes, JD100 million from real estate sales tax and JD236 million from taxes on trade and international transactions.

Non-tax revenues reached JD2.032 billion during the January-November period of 2024, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

AMMAN — The Lower House, during a session chaired by Speaker Ahmad Safadi, on Monday approved by majority vote to refer the 72 Annual Audit Bureau Report for 2023 to its Finance Committee.

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan and Cabinet members attended the legislative session, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Lawmakers stressed the need to legally support the Audit Bureau in fulfilling its duties comprehensively, improving oversight of public funds and referring violations in the report to the judiciary.

MPs also called for broader powers for the Audit Bureau, granting its employees judicial authority, boosting its workforce and monitoring public funds in public shareholding companies regardless of the government's shareholding percentage.

The deputies highlighted the Audit Bureau's role as a "key" oversight body for public funds and combating financial corruption, stressing the importance of addressing administrative and financial corruption and enhancing internal oversight across all ministries and institutions.

Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs Abdul Monem Odat, responding to MPs' remarks, said that the government values the efforts of the bureau in issuing its 2023 report, recognising it as an independent oversight arm of the Parliament.

He noted that a ministerial committee has been formed to address and rectify the violations mentioned in the report, with all outcomes being shared with the Lower House's Finance Committee under the oversight of the Parliament.

The minister added that the bureau submits quarterly reports to the Parliament, and amendments introduced in 2011 mandate lawmakers to discuss these reports in the same or subsequent parliamentary session.

The MPs debated the report and agreed to refer it to the Finance Committee following initial discussions.

Each MP was granted two minutes to discuss the report.

Meanwhile, the Lower House approved, by majority, to refer the following draft laws to competent committees: social security law for 2024, law regulating the surveying and real estate offices profession for 2024, and the Agricultural Risk Management Fund law for 2024.

The social security draft law aims to address changes in work patterns, including flexible work, expand social security coverage and protect labour rights.

The bill also allows non-Jordanians with a minimum of 120 mandatory contributions, including children of Jordanian women, to opt for voluntary contributions, enabling them to qualify for disability and retirement benefits under specific regulations.

The draft law also seeks to equalise benefits between men and women by allowing widowers of insured women or pension recipients to claim their entitled share without conditions.

The draft law regulating the surveying and real estate offices profession introduces updated licensing conditions for surveying, real estate appraisal and office operations, including obligations, fees and penalties for violations.

The Agricultural Risk Management Fund draft law aims to foster solidarity among farmers in addressing agricultural risks, encouraging investment and minimising financial losses.

It also outlines the roles of the fund’s management committee, its financial resources and expenditure, while enabling compensation for non-subscribed farmers affected by frost damage.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday affirmed that Jordan is moving forward with modernisation despite regional challenges, noting the Senate’s important role, in partnership with the House of Representatives and the government, in this regard.

During a meeting at Al Husseiniya Palace with the permanent office of the Senate—which includes its president, his deputies, and assistants—His Majesty stressed that Jordan continues to coordinate with Arab countries and allies on regional developments, to protect its interests and achieve regional stability, according to a Royal Court statement. 

At the meeting, attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, the King noted the importance of stopping the Israeli war on Gaza, and achieving comprehensive calm in the region.

His Majesty highlighted Jordan's efforts to sustain the flow of relief aid to Gaza, calling on the international community to step up the humanitarian response.

Addressing developments in the West Bank, the King stressed the need to end unilateral measures targeting Palestinians and Jerusalem.

His Majesty also reaffirmed Jordan's support for Syria in building a free, independent, and fully sovereign state, noting that Jordan is discussing ways for cooperation in energy, water, trade, and security, with the new authority in Damascus, the statement said. 

For his part, Senate President Faisal Fayez expressed the Senate's keenness to communicate with all Jordanians on local affairs and developments in the region, stressing the need to protect Jordan and defend its interests. 

Members of the Senate’s permanent office spoke about the importance of the partnership with the government and the House of Representatives in working to serve Jordan and Jordanians, and the commitment to carry on with the modernisation process across its three tracks, as well as regional developments.

Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi and Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh attended the meeting.

AMMAN — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Sunday attended the signing of the preliminary agreement for the Aqaba-Amman Water Desalination and Conveyance Project, known as the National Carrier Project, at the Prime Ministry. 

The agreement was signed by Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abu Saud and Director of Meridiam in Jordan Jad Hariri, representing the consortium. 

Minister of Government Communication Mohammad Momani, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Zeina Toukan, US Ambassador to Jordan Yael Lempert and other officials attended the signing ceremony, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.   

The signing of this preliminary agreement aligns with Royal directives to speed up the execution of strategic national projects and the objectives of the Economic Modernization Vision. 

The project aims to desalinate 300 million cubic metresof seawater annually from the Gulf of Aqaba, addressing Jordan's water shortages with sustainable solutions.  

Abu Saud stressed that the National Water Carrier Project is one of the "largest" desalination plants globally, as it represents "the biggest infrastructure project ever undertaken in Jordan and the region."

The minister added that the project includes an advanced seawater intake system along the Gulf of Aqaba coastline, a state-of-the-art desalination facility using reverse osmosis technology, a 450-kilometer water conveyance system to Amman, high-capacity pumping stations and renewable energy components.  

He highlighted that the project will partially rely on renewable energy, in line with the national energy strategy to generate 31 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030, ensuring sufficient drinking water for the next two decades.  

The minister explained that the Ministry of Water and Irrigation adopted a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) contract model for the scheme. 

Under this agreement, the Meridiam-Suez consortium will finance, design, build, operate and maintain the system during the concession period, which includes construction and 26 years of operation. 

At the end of the concession, ownership of the project will transfer fully to the ministry as a national asset.  

The project is expected to supply 300 million cubic metres of potable water annually, sufficient to meet the needs of around four million people.

The national venture is part of sustainable initiatives aimed at reducing pressure on Jordan's groundwater and surface water resources, naturally replenishing depleted water basins, and ensuring a reliable water supply for citizens across most regions.   

The USAID provided significant support, including technical and advisory expertise, which, alongside the efforts of water sector teams, accelerated progress toward achieving this vital milestone.

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Sunday joined top diplomats for high-level discussions on the future of Syria in the Saudi capital.

 The talks, which built on the Aqaba meetings held in Jordan in December, brought together Arab and international foreign ministers, as well as UN and European officials, to coordinate efforts to rebuild and stabilize Syria.

Safadi stressed the urgent need for a Syrian-led process to rebuild Syria.

 During two sessions, he emphasized the importance of preserving Syria's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, while combating terrorism.

He called for increased humanitarian assistance and concerted efforts to create conditions for the safe and voluntary return of Syrian refugees. 

"Jordan stands with the Syrian people in their quest to rebuild their nation as a free, stable and sovereign state," Safadi said. "We stand ready to provide all possible assistance at this critical stage to restore Syria's security, and stability."

Safadi stressed the need to combat terrorism and extremism to prevent the resurgence of terrorist groups and to ensure that Syrian territory does not threaten any country or become a sanctuary for terrorists.

The first session was attended by senior diplomats from the region, including UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Syrian Foreign Minister AsaadShibani, and Bahraini Foreign Minister AbdullatifZayani. Other participants included the foreign ministers of Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Eygptas well as Arab League Secretary General Ahmed AboulGheit and GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Budaiwi.

The second session expanded the table to include the foreign ministers of Turkey, the UK, Germany, and Italy, as well as senior officials from Spain, the US, France, the European Union, and the United Nations.

The meetings concluded with a joint statement reaffirming support for the reconstruction of Syria as a unified, independent state. Participants emphasized the need for a political transition that is inclusive of all Syrian communities, guarantees their rights, and represents the will of the Syrian people.

The statement stressed the importance of addressing security concerns, including terrorism, and condemned Israeli incursions into the Syrian demilitarized zone and nearby areas such as Mount Hermon and Quneitra. It called for respect for Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

On the sidelines, Safadi held separate meetings with several counterparts, including Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Bahrain's Foreign Minister, and Egypt's Foreign Minister, as well as Syrian foreign minister. Also participating in the discussions were British Foreign Secretary, German Foreign Minister, and senior officials from France and the United States.

The talks focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation and coordination , and addressing pressing regional developments.

AMMAN — Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj. Gen. Yousef Huneiti on Sunday received a Saudi military delegation, headed by Chief of Operations of the Saudi Armed Forces Misfer bin Suwailem Ghanim and the accompanying delegation.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed aspects of further enhancing cooperation and coordination in various military operational, training and logistical fields.

Both sides also went over the latest developments at the regional and international levels to serve interests of the two kingdoms' armed forces, according to an army statement.

Meanwhile, Ghanim praised the modernisation and development steps implemented by the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF) and their "pivotal" role in maintaining security and stability in the region.

A number of high-ranking JAF officers and the Saudi military attaché in Amman attended the meeting that was held at the JAF General Command.