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AMMAN – His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday voiced his pride in the international success of the Jordanian feature film “Theeb”, praising it as an exceptional, creative work of art. 

At a meeting with the cast and crew members of the Academy Award-nominated film, attended by Her Majesty Queen Rania, the King asserted that the film is a Jordanian success story and the latest in several achievements that Jordanians are proud of, according to a Royal Court statement.

Despite all the challenges facing Jordan, His Majesty said meeting with creative Jordanians lifts his spirits.

“Not only Jordan, but the entire Middle East is proud of you,” the King told the cast and crew, thanking them for their efforts. 

The film succeeded because the people of Wadi Rum participated in and supported it, he noted, calling for benefiting from the feature’s success to boost tourism.

“As we focus on the tourism industry, we should also focus on the film industry, not only in Wadi Rum but also in Wadi Araba,” the King added. 

He expressed his full support for success stories by creative Jordanians, calling for using events from Jordanian history in filmmaking.

“Theeb”, a coming-of-age tale set in the Arabian Desert of 1916, is the first Jordanian film to earn an Oscar nomination.

It follows Theeb, a young bedouin boy, and his brother Hussein as they leave the safety of their tribe to venture on a journey at the dawn of the Great Arab Revolt.

His Majesty spoke with the cast and crew about the prizes and the local, regional and global recognition that the film has gained. 

Since its release in international film festivals in August 2014, “Theeb”, directed and co-scripted by Naji Abu Nowar, has been screened in 25 countries, winning 21 awards, including Best Director at the Venice Film Festival.

Earlier in February, the Jordanian-British Abu Nowar and producer Robert Lloyd won the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Award for Outstanding Debut by British Writer, Director or Producer.

The cast and crew members thanked the King for the meeting, which, they said, reflects His Majesty’s support for Jordanians in all fields. 

In remarks to the Jordan News Agency, Petra, producer and co-writer Bassel Ghandour said the film’s success has made more international producers and directors interested in filming in Wadi Rum, some 328km south of Amman.

“Theeb” producers collaborated with Bedouin tribes to ensure the authentic depiction of life in the region. The cast was entirely formed from the local tribesmen of these communities after they were engaged in acting workshops prior to principal photography.

Ghandour said young people in the area are now more interested in participating in creative work.

Hassan Maraaiah, one of the lead actors, told Petra that the local community in his area is now more open to acting, noting that he has worked on projects by US and Canadian filmmakers after “Theeb”.

The film’s success, he added, has also attracted tourists to Jordan and Wadi Rum.

AMMAN — Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour on Tuesday refuted claims that his government interferes in the editorial policies of state-owned media outlets.

Ensour also dismissed as baseless claims by some MPs that the government asks state-owned media outlets to delete their remarks when reporting on Lower House sessions. 

In response to claims by MP Wafaa Bani Mustafa (Jerash, 1st District) that there are lawmakers and ministers holding dual citizenship, Ensour said, "I cannot imagine and accept that there are ministers violating the Constitution. We would love it if those with information about this matter provided us with what they know."

Under 2011 amendments to Article 75 of the Constitution, “no person can become a deputy, senator, minister or a high-ranking official if he/she holds dual nationality”.

The House began on Tuesday its deliberation of the 2015 draft integrity and anti-corruption law, stipulating the establishment of a national commission for integrity and anti-corruption that is administratively and financially independent. 

As per the law, the Ombudsman Bureau and the Anti-Corruption Commission will be integrated into one entity called the national centre for integrity and anti-corruption.

Discussing the law, some MPs requested that the envisioned entity be subject to the Chamber's monitoring like the Audit Bureau.

"To have the House's monitoring over the envisioned commission sanctioned in a law is not needed because, as in the case of other entities, it will be supervised by MPs," Ensour said.

Under lawmakers' amendments to the draft law, the envisioned commission will be managed and supervised by a president and four board members, "none of whom should hold dual citizenship".

Under the law, the commission's president and board members will be appointed by a Royal Decree under a recommendation by the prime minister. 

AMMAN — The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) issued a letter of interest on Tuesday inviting investors wishing to develop and rehabilitate the facilities at the Jubeiha Theme Park, one of the largest amusement facilities in the Kingdom.

Located in an outdoor environment over a green landscape with an area of 51 dunums, the park is on one of the “scenic hills in Amman” that more than 5 million people can access easily, according to GAM.

Ibrahim Khreis, executive director at GAM’s investment department, said the letter invites investors to present plans to improve the park before the summer season.

“We will evaluate the offers suggested by investors and accordingly, the best investment idea will be chosen,” he told The Jordan Times.

Khreis added that the investment offers can be submitted within the next two months. The deadline for submissions is May 23. During summer, the park receives around 250,000 visitors on average, he said, adding that it opens from April to September every year. 

In an advertisement published in Al Rai daily on Tuesday, GAM expressed its keenness to enhance facilities at the park.

Khreis noted that the park needs more advanced gear and facilities to ensure the safety of visitors and to keep up with other parks around the world.

GAM said suggestions may include building restaurants, lounges, meeting rooms, wedding venues, kiosks and other facilities that suit the theme park.  

The process is a two-year renovation course, according to the municipality, to be performed by “a well-experienced and financially solvent” private group of operators under a 20-year build, operate and transfer contract. 

AMMAN — Almost 2,500 people of various nationalities arrived via two cruise ships in Aqaba on Tuesday as part of several cruisers expected to arrive soon, an official at the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) said.

ASEZA Commissioner for Economic Development and Investment Affairs Sharhabeel Madi said Aqaba, some 330km south of Amman, is expected to receive more than 30,000 visitors through 20 cruise ships within a month.

Madi told The Jordan Times over the phone that another batch of tourists is also set to arrive in Aqaba on Wednesday.

Most of the tourists who arrived Tuesday are of European nationalities, and will be staying in the Kingdom between 24 and 48 hours, the official said, noting that the authorities have arranged transportation for the tourists to visit Wadi Rum, Petra and the Dead Sea. 

These visitors will revive the tourist season in the Kingdom, Madi said, and they will also have a positive impact on other sectors such as restaurants, taxis and shops.

"Cruise ship operators have great confidence in the Kingdom due to its stability and security," he added. 

In February, ASEZA launched a month-long promotional campaign called the Aqaba Carnival with discount offers on hotels and transportation to attract local holidaymakers to enjoy the warm weather.

Madi told The Jordan Times previously that between 60,000 and 70,000 tourists visited Aqaba in February, which is considered a low season. 

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday held a meeting with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, during which they followed up on a landmark visit he paid to Brussels last week, a Royal Court statement said.

During the meeting at Al Husseiniya Palace, attended by Her Majesty Queen Rania, the King voiced appreciation for the support provided by EU institutions during his visit, which, he said, reflects the depth of strategic partnership between the two sides. 

The meeting covered developments in the Middle East and the world, including the Syrian crisis, with His Majesty reaffirming Jordan's support for a political solution to the conflict. 

The King and Mogherini stressed the importance of enhancing efforts to combat terrorism.

Mogherini voiced once again the EU's commitment to continuing its support for the Kingdom and commended His Majesty's efforts to enhance security and stability in the region, as well as Jordan's pivotal role in the war against terrorism.

In Brussels last week, King Abdullah held meetings with EU and NATO leaders that resulted in four key agreements, including increasing the total volume of assistance to Jordan, the simplifying the rules of origin for 10 years as of the beginning of July, launching  negotiations on the Jordanian-EU partnership programme for the coming four years and expanding NATO's military support to Jordan through capacity-building.

AMMAN — A joint press conference held by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini was halted on Tuesday when the EU official broke down over the Brussels bombings.

Mogherini started the press conference by saying that Tuesday was a very sad day for Europe, which is now suffering like terror-hit Middle East countries.

“Europe and its capital are suffering the same pain that this region has known and knows every single day,” she said.

Twin blasts hit Zaventem Airport in Brussels and another explosion struck Maelbeek Metro Station on Tuesday morning, resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries.

The EU official stressed that these attacks resulted from “radicalisation”.

"We are still waiting for more precise news on the dynamics of the attacks in Brussels but it is quite clear the roots of the pain we are suffering around our region are very much the same," Mogherini said, adding that both regions are united not only in suffering over victims but also in “reacting to these acts and preventing radicalisation and violence”. 

"Being here together is the most powerful message of strength and friendship among our people that we can pass to those who would like to divide us,” she noted. 

Judeh expressed Jordan’s strong condemnation of the attacks, stressing the Kingdom’s stance in standing with Europe.

“We stand with you today and with our friends in Europe and with all peace-loving nations,” the minister said.

Both Judeh and Mogherini also briefed the press on the cooperation between Jordan and the EU, noting that they discussed issues of common interest, including the Syrian issue, the two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the fight against terrorism, in addition to simplifying rules of origin for the Kingdom’s products to facilitate exports to Europe.

Speaking about the Palestinian cause, Judeh said the situation is “very dangerous now”, citing Israeli violations against Palestinians and stressing that negotiations should be revived over a fixed timeframe.

This issue was also highlighted by Mogherini, who described Jordan as a “precious” partner to the EU when it comes to the Palestinian issue. 

Jordan and the EU also share the same stance regarding the Syrian crisis, according to the EU official.

She stressed that Amman is “a very precious partner” when it comes to clarifying true Islam to Europeans. 

“We believe that the message of Islam is constantly and consistently a message of peace, dialogue and cooperation, which is what we need at this moment,” she told reporters. 

AMMAN — The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in Jordan, in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Development and UNHCR, has distributed direct cash assistance to over 800 Jordanian and Syrian families in the Irbid and Mafraq governorates, an NRC statement said Tuesday.

The NGO said 30 per cent of the total assistance was allocated for vulnerable Jordanian families identified by the Ministry of Social Development.

“NRC recognises the need for initiatives that support both local and refugee families,” the statement quoted Carlo Gherardi, NRC’s head of operations in Jordan, as saying. He added that NRC identified the importance of including and supporting families who have children with disabilities.

The council, in partnership with the Child Care Association Charity in Mafraq provided over JD14,500 in additional assistance to 64 families with children with disabilities.

AMMAN — Jordan is looking forward for Russia to open its market to Jordanian agricultural products and grant them preferential treatment, in addition to lowering customs duties at Russian airports, Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour said on Tuesday.

At a meeting with Russian Agriculture Minister Alexander Tkachyov, who is chairing a delegation to participate in the third meeting of the Jordanian-Russian ministerial committee, Ensour noted that the fruit and vegetables season in the Kingdom comes earlier than in many other countries, which puts Jordan in a favourable position to supply demand in many markets.

The premier expressed Jordan’s desire to buy Russian wheat at preferential prices to contribute to helping the Kingdom in hosting large numbers of refugees, especially since Jordan bears some 70 per cent of the cost of hosting Syrian refugees, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

He also highlighted the importance of attracting more Russian tourists to the Kingdom due to its peace and security, as well as its housing of many archaeological and religious sites.

Tkachyov expressed his country’s keenness on boosting commercial, economic and agricultural exchange, calling on both countries to take advantage of all available resources to increase bilateral cooperation, Petra added.

He also voiced Moscow’s readiness to help Jordan provide the necessary infrastructure for the railway project, calling for studying the possibility to establish a free trade zone between Jordan and Russia.

Also on Tuesday, Ensour met with Wayne Brownlee, executive vice president, treasurer and chief financial officer of the Canadian PotashCorp of Saskatchewan (PCS), which owns 28 per cent of the Arab Potash Company’s (APC) shares, and called on the APC to double its efforts to compete with the production of the Israeli potash company operating on the other shore of the Dead Sea.

The premier urged the APC to play a role in establishing a railway from the Jordan Valley to Aqaba in cooperation and coordination with the ministries of planning and transport, according to Petra.

Brownlee thanked the government for supporting the company, in terms of customs and tax exemptions, noting that the APC is proud of the assistance it presents to local communities.

The PCS is the largest shareholder in the APC, according to the Jordanian company’s website. 

AMMAN — UN Women Jordan recently launched a series of trainings in the governorates of Irbid and Zarqa to build the capacity of local NGOs’ social workers to create safe spaces of psychological support for Jordanian and Syrian women and girls, a statement said Tuesday.

The training programme, which saw 20 participants awarded, is part of the Japanese-funded Social Cohesion Programme, which aims to provide women and girls with access to protection and social services in the Zarqa and Irbid governorates.

Through interactive activities, experts helped participants analyse the current situation in their communities from an administrative, organisational, technical and procedural point of view, the UN Women statement said.

Participants were trained on how to better support vulnerable groups and to provide psychological support to women and girls through the Family and Childhood Society in Irbid, as well the Family Guidance and Awareness Centre in Zarqa. A safe space will be also created at the Zarqa-based Khawla Bint Al Azwar Society. 

AMMAN — Border Guards on Monday night foiled an attempt to smuggle a large amount of narcotics through two vehicles coming from Syria, an official source at the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army said on Tuesday in a statement. 

The troops applied the rules of engagement taken in such cases, damaging the two vehicles and stopping them. 

The suspects who were in the vehicles fled and ran to Syrian territories.

The Border Guards confiscated 10,511 palm-sized sheets of hashish weighing 1,815kg, 44kg of narcotics of unknown types and 9.18 million narcotic pills weighing 1,647kg.

In total, the seized drugs weigh 3,506kg. In addition, the troops confiscated ammunition, and sent everything to the concerned authorities. 

In the first half of February this year, Anti-Narcotics Department (AND) agents arrested 226 suspected drug dealers in 129 cases, confiscating 39kg of hashish, 21kg of synthetic cannabis, 11,000 narcotic pills, 1kg of heroin and eight weapons, according to the Public Security Department.

Last year, AND personnel arrested 14,000 drug users of different nationalities, AND Director Brig. Gen. Anwar Tarawneh said late last month.

Tarawneh noted that Jordan remains a corridor country — rather than a destination — for drug smuggling.

Last year, Border Guards responded to trafficking attempts that resulted in the confiscation of 16,768,684 Captagon pills, 893,060 palm-sized sheets of hashish and 20,000 Tramadol pills.