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AMMAN — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Wednesday met with the head and members of the Union of Centrist Parties Parliamentary Bloc, which includes six political parties.

The meeting, held at the House of Representatives, centred on critical issues, particularly the importance of advancing the comprehensive modernisation programme, which encompasses political, economic and administrative reforms, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Hassan reiterated the government's commitment to implementing the priorities outlined in the ministerial statement, as directed by the Royal Letter of Designation. He also emphasised that the government's main focus is stimulating economic growth, expanding the national economy and creating job opportunities for citizens.

The prime minister also highlighted plans to launch significant strategic projects in 2025 aimed at attracting foreign investment and driving economic growth over the next four years. 

He also said that the government has successfully reduced the cost of debt servicing on the Eurobond loan due this year by 40 per cent, reiterating efforts to lower public debt interest rates.

Hassan also stressed the government's commitment to institutionalising social responsibility, aligning it with national development priorities. He also commended national institutions for their role in supporting the health and education sectors through social responsibility initiatives.

MP Zuhair Khashman, head of the Union of Centrist Parties Parliamentary Bloc, described the partnership between the government and the parliamentary bloc as crucial for shaping the country's future. He emphasised that the bloc is a national project built on independent party principles, with a comprehensive legislative, political, economic, and ethical agenda in line with their election programmes.

Khashman also underscored the urgency of transforming the economic landscape to generate more job opportunities and reduce unemployment. He also called for empowering the private sector and strengthening the relationship between the public and private sectors.

He also commended the government's “bold” decisions during its first 100 days, noting their positive impact on the public and the national economy, and demonstrating a clear commitment to government accountability.

AMMAN — Lower House Speaker Ahmad Safadi on Wednesday issued a strong rebuke of what he described as recent unlawful actions and inflammatory rhetoric targeting Jordan’s national principles and institutions, particularly the armed forces.

Speaking at the opening of a parliamentary session, Safadi condemned the attacks on the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF), calling them “a crime, an act of ingratitude and a betrayal that cannot be accepted or tolerated,” the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

He also underscored the deep symbolic value the army holds in Jordan’s national identity, describing it as a red line that must not be crossed. “Whoever dares to touch the dignity of our armed forces is nothing but a tool in the hands of the nation’s enemies,” he said.

Safadi also commended the JAF as the same “brave army that fought on the walls of Jerusalem, supported Arab brothers with convoys of martyrs, and continues, despite fire and hardship, to stand with our people in Gaza.”

He also pointed to the role of Jordan’s field hospitals in Gaza as evidence of the army’s ongoing heroism, adding that “some fail to recognise this.”

The speaker also hailed the role of the security forces in preserving national stability and defending the country against threats.

On the war in Gaza, Safadi described the Israeli aggression as “barbaric” and criticised the international community’s “shameful failure” to stop it. “Amid this inaction, Jordan stands firmly, politically, diplomatically and humanely,  with the people of Gaza,” he said.

Safadi also commended His Majesty King Abdullah’s recent diplomatic efforts, which included a European tour and participation in a tripartite summit in Egypt with the Egyptian and French presidents.

He also reiterated the House’s full support for the King’s positions, especially those voiced during the summit. He also expressed support for regional and international efforts to rebuild Gaza and firmly rejected Israeli attempts to isolate West Bank towns, accelerate settlement expansion or forcibly displace Palestinians.

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Wednesday met with a delegation from the Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), a US-based advocacy organisation, to discuss the latest developments in the region.

During the meeting, Safadi emphasised the urgent need to end the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip and to open crossing points for humanitarian aid, as the Strip faces an "unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe."

Safadi also called for an immediate stop to the escalating violence in the West Bank, condemned Israeli violations against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, and urged the respect of the city's legal and historical status quo, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. 

The Foreign Minister also outlined Jordan’s continuous efforts to foster peace and enhance both regional and international security. He reiterated that the only path to a just and lasting peace is the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Also on Wednesday, Safadi met a delegation of peace process experts from EU missions to the United Nations in New York. The discussions focused on strengthening Jordanian-European partnerships, securing an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and ensuring the swift delivery of humanitarian aid into the besieged Strip.

The meeting also touched on developments in Syria and Lebanon, as well as the ongoing cooperation between Jordan and European countries to achieve regional security and stability.

AMMAN — The Lower House on Wednesday approved 4  out of 13 articles of a draft law establishing the Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW) for the year 2024.

The decision was made during a legislative session chaired by Lower House Speaker Ahmad Safadi, and attended by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan and Cabinet members, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs Abdul Moneim Odat said that the draft law aims to grant the commission a legal foundation, formalising its status after operating under a Cabinet decision since 1992, adding that the legislation recognises the JNCW’s role in shaping national strategies to empower women across political, economic and social domains.

Debate during the session focused primarily on Article 4, which outlines the commission’s objectives, including promoting women's rights, combating discrimination and enhancing women’s participation in national development. Lawmakers rejected several recommendations by the Joint Parliamentary Committee and voted to retain key provisions related to protecting women from violence.

Minister of State Ahmad Abbadi noted that the law does not create a new public institution but instead formalises the legal standing of an existing civil body. He noted that referring to the legislation as a "women's affairs law" would have introduced legal complications, stressing the commission’s consultative role.

Several MPs expressed support for the law, describing it as consistent with national values and reflective of Jordan’s commitment to empowering women within cultural and religious frameworks.

Lawmakers also agreed to update the title of the law to reflect the year 2025. The law will come into force 30 days after its publication in the Official Gazette.

AMMAN – Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa and her Palestinian counterpart Samah Hamad met on Wednesday to discuss joint cooperation on the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

The meeting, attended by Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation (JHCO) Secretary-General Hussein Shibli, focused on strengthening relief efforts in response to the escalating needs in both territories.

Bani Mustafa reiterated Jordan's unwavering support for the Palestinian people, particularly those in Gaza, highlighting the efforts of His Majesty King Abdullah to alleviate their suffering and prevent forced displacement.

The minister also highlighted the King’s address at the 2025 World Disability Summit in Berlin, which reiterated Jordan's commitment to the rights of persons with disabilities. She also pointed to the "Restore Hope" initiative for amputees in Gaza, which has already benefited over 400 people, including children, and aims to reach 16,000 individuals in need of prosthetic support.

Bani Mustafa also commended the pivotal role of the JHCO, which oversees aid distribution to both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in close partnership with local and international bodies.

Hamad expressed gratitude for Jordan's efforts, particularly through the Royal Medical Services and JHCO, in facilitating aid to Palestinians. She emphasised the growing humanitarian needs in Gaza and the West Bank, urging further coordination to meet these demands.

Shibli provided an update on JHCO’s ongoing relief operations, emphasising the organisation's vital humanitarian role. He highlighted the “Restore Hope” initiative as one of the key projects, noting that the JHCO's efforts continue in collaboration with international partners to assist the Palestinian people, particularly those in need of prosthetic limbs.

AMMAN — The Court of Cassation has upheld a June 2023 State Security Court (SSC) ruling, sentencing a drug dealer to over three years in prison after convicting him of selling six illegal pills to an undercover agent in Amman in January 2023.

The court declared the defendant guilty of obtaining illegal narcotics with the intent of selling the drugs to an undercover agent on  January 17.

The SSC handed the defendant five years in prison for the offence of possessing illegal narcotics and ordered him to pay JD5,000 in fines.

However, the court decided to reduce the fine to JD3,500 and the prison term to three years in prison to give the defendant a second chance in life.

Court documents said the Anti-Narcotics Department (AND) learnt the defendant was in possession of illegal narcotics and sent one of its agents to pose as a buyer.

“The AND agent got in touch with the defendant and asked him for six Captagon pills in return for JD10,” court documents said.

When the two met, AND agents immediately arrested the suspect, court papers added.

Upon searching the defendant, court transcripts maintained, the police officers found an additional 15 pills and a mobile chip that was used in the drug deal.

The defendant contested the SSC’s ruling through his lawyer, who argued that the court “did not provide solid evidence to implicate his client”.

The lawyer argued that his client possessed the illegal narcotics for his personal use.

Meanwhile, the SSC prosecution office asked the higher court to uphold the sentence and the fine imposed on the defendant.

The higher court maintained that the SSC had followed the proper procedures in issuing the sentence against the defendant.

“It was clear to the court that the defendant confessed willingly to possessing the illegal drugs to sell in the local market,” the higher court said.

The Court of Cassation judges were Yassin Abdullat, Nayef Samarat, Mohammad Khashashneh, Qassem Dughmi and Hammad Ghzawi.

AMMAN — Chairman of the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA) Fares Braizat has met with a “high-level” media delegation from Poland as part of efforts to promote Petra as a global tourist destination and support recovery from the ongoing war on Gaza.

During the meeting, Braizat highlighted Petra’s status as a New World Heritage Site, emphasising its "historical, cultural, and humanitarian" significance, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

He outlined PDTRA’s ongoing initiatives to improve tourism services and infrastructure, which aim to enhance visitors’ experience and encourage repeat visits.

Media Advisor to the Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) Khaled Dalal shared details of a joint strategy between the PDTRA and JTB to raise Petra's profile internationally.

The strategy aims to host journalists and tourism influencers and organising media tours to showcase the city’s archaeological wonders and “unique” tourism offerings, Dalal added.

The delegates participated in a tour of the Shaqilah Centre for Traditional Crafts and Creative Industries in Al-Ji Village, observing the local crafts and the community's role in preserving cultural heritage.

Touring the Petra Museum, the Polish delegates were briefed by Commissioner for Petra Archaeological Park and Tourism at PDTRA Yazan Mahadin on the archaeological artefacts on display and the progress of tourism development efforts in the region.

The delegation also explored the Heritage Village in Beida, experiencing the Nabataean lifestyle through interactive exhibits. This “cultural immersion” offered the delegates valuable insights into the Bedouin community and local traditions.

The visit, which included a tour of Petra's iconic sites like the Treasury, Amphitheatre, and Nabataean Court, reflected PDTRA's ongoing efforts to expand Petra’s presence in European markets and further establish it as a leading global tourism destination.

AMMAN — A delegation from Jordan's field hospital in Nablus on Tuesday visited the tombs of Jordanian soldiers who fell in the 1967 battle of Wadi Al Tuffah in Nablus, reaffirming the Kingdom's “deep” respect for the sacrifices of its army.

During the visit, the delegation laid a wreath at the grave of the fallen soldiers, with the hospital commander describing the visit as a tribute to the “heroism” of the Jordan Armed Forces–Arab Army (JAF) and stressing that honouring its legacy remains a source of pride for all Jordanians.

In a similar gesture, the delegation visited Amneh Mohammad Nimer Al Waked, a woman known for providing medical assistance to wounded Jordanian soldiers in 1967 and for preserving the remains of the martyrs under “extraordinary” conditions, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

In recognition of her “humanitarian courage”, a specialised medical team was dispatched to assess her health and provide her with the necessary care.

JAF has a “long” history of defending Palestinian soil in historic battles such as Latrun, Jerusalem, Bab Al Wad, Sheikh Jarrah and Kfar Etzion. These battlefields are home to numerous graves of Jordanian soldiers, bearing witness to their bravery, Petra added.

Among the most notable is the Battle of Wadi Al Tuffah, where a unit led by the martyred Lt. Col. Saleh Al Shuweir and his comrades “heroically” held their ground, refusing to surrender until their ammunition ran out, leaving a legacy of sacrifice and bravery in the region's history.