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AMMAN — The Anti-Narcotics Department (AND) on Monday seized five million pills of illegal drugs intended to be smuggled to a neighbouring country, according to the Public Security Department (PSD) media office.

AND staff received a tip that a group of people were storing huge quantities of narcotic pills inside hydraulic hoses of a truck on its way to a border crossing, the PSD said in a statement, adding that further investigation led to the main suspect, who was referred to the State Security Court, while search is still under way for other suspects.

AMMAN — The number of vehicles registered in Jordan reached 1.285 million at the end of April, according to Drivers and Vehicles Licensing Department figures.

The figure is higher by 1,360 vehicles compared to the end of last year, the department’s director, Brig.  Gen.  Ahmad Taani said Monday.

The number of issued driving licences reached 2,124,087, including around 1.7 million licences for private vehicles license and 185,000 for public transport vehicles.

AMMAN — The Ministry of Labour has shut down three domestic helper recruitment agencies this year for breaching labour laws and regulations, according to a ministry report.

The report said the ministry has also issued 21 warnings to recruitment agencies this year.

Six agencies were closed down in 2012 and 16 agencies last year, when the ministry issued 66 warnings to the agencies, according to the report.

“A total of 48,000 domestic helpers are currently licensed in Jordan… with a total of 34,675 were recruited this year,” according to the report.

A ministry official said that thousands of domestic helpers are living in the Kingdom with expired work permits and residency visas.

The report showed that 69.20 per cent of the foreign workers in Jordan are Egyptians, while 10.66 per cent are from Bangladesh, 4.89 per cent from the Philippines, 4.66 per cent from Sri Lanka and 2.48 per cent from Syria.

The ministry announced earlier this week the opening of the domestic helpers market in Jordan to workers from Kenya. The ministry said the cost of recruiting a Kenyan domestic helper is JD1,800, inclusive of all fees, costs and plane tickets.

The ministry will start receiving applications for recruiting Kenyan domestic helpers as of June 1.

Meanwhile, Labour Minister Nidal Katamine announced on Monday in a press statement that compulsory insurance for foreign domestic helpers will go into effect starting July 1 under an agreement signed between the Domestic Helpers Recruitment Agencies Association and the Jordan French Insurance Company. 

The insurance seeks to guarantee the rights of domestic helpers and their recruiters, according to the ministry, which stressed that under the new compulsory insurance policy, recruiters of domestic workers will be compensated if the helpers escape or refuse to work, while the workers will be compensated in cases of injury.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday attended a ceremony marking the anniversary of Al Israa wal Miraj, Prophet Mohammad’s nocturnal journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and his ascension to heaven according to Muslim beliefs.

During the ceremony, attended by Royal family members and senior officials and officers, Awqaf Minister Hayel Dawood delivered a speech stressing the importance of the Hashemites’ custodianship over Al Aqsa Mosque, and Muslim and Christian sites in Jerusalem, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

He pointed to the Hashemites’ role in preserving the Islamic identity of the Holy City and their efforts to support Palestinians and prevent Israeli attempts to Judaise the city.

Dawood also highlighted the spirit of coexistence and tolerance the Hashemite family instilled in Jordan, citing Saturday’s visit of Pope Francis to the Kingdom.

Professor Mustafa Abu Sway, the first holder of the Integral Chair for the Study of Imam Abu Hamid Al Ghazali’s Work at the Holy Al Aqsa Mosque and Al Quds University, also delivered a speech highlighting the Hashemite role in defending Al Aqsa Mosque and other Muslim and Christian sites in Jerusalem.

He also underlined the importance of the recently concluded “Road to Jerusalem Conference” in Amman in reminding Muslims all over the world of the threats to their third holiest site, Petra reported.

Also on Monday, King Abdullah received cables of well wishes on the occasion of Israa wal Miraj from several leaders of Arab and Muslim states.  

He also received similar cables from senior Jordanian officials and officers. HRH Crown Prince Hussein received similar cables on the occasion from senior Jordanian officials and officers.

The Israa, followed by Miraj, was one of the miracles in the life of Prophet Mohammad. It happened on Rajab 27, in the seventh month of the Hijri lunar calendar, in the 10th year of Mohammad’s prophethood. 

Islamic sources say the prophet was carried from the Holy Mosque in Mecca to the Farthest Mosque (Al Aqsa Mosque) in Jerusalem on a creature called Al Buraq, and in the company of the archangel Gabriel (known in Arabic as Jibril).

There he led a congregational prayer of the prophets of God. 

After that, Gabriel took him to the heavens where he met prophets Adam, John, Jesus, Idris, Aaron and Moses. In the seventh heaven, he met Abraham, according to Islam Online, an authoritative Islamic web portal. 

During the divine journey, Allah ordered five daily prayers for the Muslim nation. The prophet then returned to Mecca on the same night.

AMMAN — Jordanian and Turkish think tanks on Monday said political transitions in the Middle East have created new security challenges that necessitate developing conflict resolution mechanisms to end foreign interference, which is complicating the prevailing regional conditions.

They said political transformations across the Middle East in the aftermath of the Arab Spring must be coupled with socio-economic transformations and reforms to meet some of the aspirations of the peoples of the region for a better life and livelihood.

“There is a competition between regional and international players seeking to protect their interests in the Middle East. When the Arab Spring started, things were different, but at a later stage interference started,” Musa Shteiwi, director of the Centre for Strategic Studies (CSS), said at a CSS workshop.

“New security challenges have emerged in the region.”

Noting that Jordan has historically been a target of terror groups such as Al Qaeda, Shteiwi said the Kingdom faces the challenge of terrorism in the aftermath of the Arab Spring, especially from groups coming from Syria.

“The increasingly worsening situation in Syria and the presence of several radical groups have created a new security challenge in Jordan,” he added.

Saban Kardas, president of the Turkey-based Centre for Middle Eastern Strategic Studies (ORSAM), agreed with Shteiwi, warning that the lack of methods for conflict resolution in the Middle East has opened the door for regional and international powers to interfere in the affairs of the region.

“Middle Easterners lack such mechanisms, which has led to violence like in Libya and Syria, a matter that made countries in the region resort to international intervention,” said Kardas, adding that this has created a security vacuum in the Middle East.

Participants in the workshop called for addressing the socio-economic needs of the region’s nations.

“There are many socio-economic issues that need to be addressed in the Middle East and these are serious issues that need to be tackled along with political transformations,” said Kardas.

Speaking during the workshop, Mesut Özcan, director of Diplomacy Academy in Turkey, said peoples of the Middle East have economic expectations after they managed to change regimes in some Arab countries and caused major political transitions in others.

“Those great expectations can turn into great disappointments if economic and social concerns are not addressed,” Özcan said.

“People need better health, better education and basic services.”

“We need to tell our societies in the region that we cannot make political or economic miracles. Perfect democracy and better situations cannot happen overnight,” he noted.

AMMAN — HRH Prince Hassan on Saturday was presented with the Roosevelt Foundation Four Freedoms Award Freedom of Worship Medal in Middleburg, southwest of the Netherlands.

The medal was presented to the prince by James Roosevelt Jr., grandson of former US president Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in recognition of his “longstanding commitment to the improvement of mutual understanding between the Islamic and Western worlds, and enhancing dialogue between Muslims, Christians and Jews”.

HRH Princess Sarvath attended the ceremony, according to a statement from Prince Hassan’s office.  

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, Princess Beatrix and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte were also among the attendees.

Presenting the Medal to Prince El Hassan, James Roosevelt Jr. said: “Throughout all of [your] efforts you have remained steadfast to your belief that we must enter into a dialogue between ourselves and the other, ‘for we have to comprehend before we move to understanding’.” 

“You have also said that the road to understanding is sometimes long and difficult, but we should not let this discourage us…” the statement quoted him as saying.

“Your dedication to religious tolerance and the fundamental right of each person to worship God in his own way has helped advance FDR’s Four Freedoms, and for this we thank and honour you today.”

Accepting the medal, Prince Hassan said: “Pope Francis is visiting the Holy Land almost as we speak.  In that Land, Jews, Christians and Muslims have shared heritage from millennia.”

“The Holy Koran says ‘we, therefore, provide with one another in doing good works’ (2:148).  The road is long.  But we cannot afford not to commit ourselves,” the prince said. 

“Where there is faith, there is hope. And I would like to think of a patrimony for all of humanity. None better than Jerusalem, which could, and indeed could not, become a centre, not for monologue for the need for dialogue, but for conversation in a civilised framework for disagreement,” he added.

“When will we revisit our texts, heritage and history, and when will our neighbour revisit his or her texts, heritage or history, so we can speak of developing a shared ethic of human solidarity?” the prince asked.

“I think that it is time to bear in mind that until human dignity is at the centre of the construct of a new humanitarian architecture, it is impossible to think about the stabilisation of populations on our planet,” he stressed.

“The correlation between justice, human dignity and sustainability is important.  We can only be resilient in as much as we recognise promoting equities both economic and social on the one side, and ethical on the other.”

The Four Freedoms Awards are presented each year to men and women whose achievements have demonstrated a commitment to the principles that President Roosevelt declared in his speech to Congress on January 6 1941: freedom of speech and expression; freedom of worship; freedom from want; and freedom from fear.

AMMAN –– In a retaliatory move, Syria declared Jordan's charge d'affaires in Damascus persona non grata.

The decision came hours after Amman asked ambassador Bahjat Suleiman to leave the Kingdom within 24 hours.

The Syrian foreign ministry said in a statement carried by the state-run SANA news agency that Jordan's decision to expel Suleiman as "unjustified" and does not reflect the "strong ties between the people of both countries."

“In response to the Jordanian government’s decision, Syria decided to declare the charge d'affaires at the Jordanian Embassy in Damascus perosna non grata," the statement said.

SANA reported that the ministry requested the Jordanian embassy to inform the diplomat, who is in Amman, that he will not be allowed to enter Syria.

Jordan's charge d'affaires in Damascus is Mohammad Amin Abu Jamous

Earlier in the day, Jordan attributed its decision to the envoy's “repeated insults and offences” targeting Jordan and its leadership, institutions and citizens, through remarks at meetings with various personalities, public statements and posts on social media networks.

AMMAN –– Jordan on Monday asked Syrian Ambassador in Jordan Bahjat Suleiman to leave the Kingdom within 24 hours after the government declared him persona non grata.

The Foreign Ministry sent a memo to the Syrian Embassy in Amman asking Suleiman to leave within 24 hours, according to the ministry’s spokesperson Sabah Al Rafei.

In a statement carried by the official Petra news agency, Rafei said the decision comes due to the envoy's “repeated insults and offences” targeting Jordan and its leadership, institutions and citizens, through his meetings with various personalities, statements and posts on social media networks.

Rafei said that the diplomat was warned several times against taking advantage of Jordanian hospitality.

Suleiman also targeted some Arab countries and their leaders that enjoy strong ties with Jordan, the statement said.

The official described the behaviour of Suleiman as contravening all diplomatic norms and conventions.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday attended a ceremony at the Royal Court to celebrate the occasion, which included speeches from heads of authorities and decorating Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour, the Jordan Food and Drug Administration, along with 15 other achievers, according to a Royal Court statement.

Her Majesty Queen Rania and Crown Prince Hussein, along with other Royal family members and senior officials, diplomats and key figures attended the grand ceremony. 

Attendees included political parties leaders and representatives of commissions, unions, media outlets and civil society institutions. 

The country won its full independence on May 25, 1946 following the end of the British mandate.

Upon arrival, the King was greeted by Prince Hussein, Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh and Chairman of the Joint-Chiefs-of-Staff Gen. Mashal Al Zaben. 

The King received an official welcome that included a 21-gun salute by the artillery. 

Earlier in the day, the King congratulated all Jordanians on the occasion via the Royal Court Twitter account. 

“Congratulations on 68Yrs of JO independence Proud of all Jordanians for their efforts in making Jordan Great Together we stand stronger #ABH,” His Majesty wrote.

At the ceremony, Ensour, Senate President Abdur-Ra’uf S.Rawabdeh, Lower House Speaker Atef Tarwaneh, Higher Judicial Council President Hisham Tal delivered speeches at the ceremony, highlighting Jordan’s independence and ensuing stages of the country’s achievements and accomplishments in various fields. 

In his speech, the premier asserted the country’s security, stability and continued achievement, expressing pride in all Jordanians. 

Speakers emphasised the country’s continued achievements, progress, judicial integrity and the progressive reform process since it gained independence in 1946. 

Celebrations have already started in the Kingdom, where the Independence Day is customarily the starting date for a series of festivities also marking the Great Arab Revolt and Army Day anniversaries, which fall on June 10, in addition to the coronation of King Abdullah. 

On the occasion, King Abdullah on Sunday received cables of congratulations from world leaders and senior officials on the occasion of the Kingdom’s 68th Independence Day. 

Prince Hussein received similar cables from senior officials and officers on the occasion of Independence Day.

AMMAN — The Jordan-hosted “Eager Lion” international military drill kicked off on Sunday with the participation of 22 countries, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Organised by the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF), the military drill is held at several training fields and centres with the participation of more than 13,000 army personnel.

Invitations to local and international media outlets have been sent by the JAF to attend a press conference at 11am Tuesday at the Special Forces Command offices during which details on the training drill will be disclosed, Petra said. 

In a previous statement, the JAF said that the event, held in Jordan for the fourth successive year, will run until June 10 and also with the participation of private and civil institutions concerned with crisis management.

The JAF has put the objective of the multi-country military exercise as “to strengthen military cooperation and coordination between participating countries”.

The drill will also focus on unconventional warfare that could undermine security, such as terrorism, insurgency and border breaches.

The exercise focuses on wide range offensive and defensive operations, while including disaster relief, strategic communication and rescue operations, according to Petra.