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AMMAN — A total of 776 Syrians entered the Kingdom through various border points over the past 24 hours, according to a Jordan Armed Forces statement released on Wednesday.

Border guards  stationed along the 376-kilometre border with Syria received the refugees and provided emergency aid to the injured before taking them to the Zaatari Refugee Camp, over 80km northeast of Amman.

AMMAN — Civil Defence Department (CDD) personnel on Wednesday extinguished a fire that erupted at Hashemieh Grain Mill Company in the Mahatta area, according to a CDD statement.

The fire spread to around 2,000 square metres of the total area of the seven-floor building.

The CDD said 10 people were injured, four of whom are in critical condition, while the others are in fair condition.

CDD personnel administered first aid to the injured and took them to Al Bashir Hospital.

Health Minister Ali Hiasat supervised their arrival at the hospital and ensured that they received the necessary treatment.

AMMAN — The Criminal Court has sentenced three men to 10-year prison terms for robbing and murdering a seller of second-hand furniture in September 2003.

The court first handed the defendants the death penalty after convicting them of robbing and murdering Ali A.

But the court decided to commute the sentence because the victim’s family dropped charges against the defendants. 

Court papers said the defendants knew each other before the incident and plotted to drug and rob people in an apartment they rented for that purpose.

On the day of the incident, the defendants decided to rob and kill the victim and lured him to the apartment claiming they had used furniture for sale, the court added.

“One of the defendants mixed six sleeping pills in the victim’s coffee and gave it to him... after he drank the coffee, the defendants took turns striking his head with a blunt object,” the 14-page verdict said.

The defendants then wrapped an electric wire around his neck and electrocuted him to death with it, according to the court.

The three men stole the victim’s mobile, JD950 and $400 in cash then buried him in the basement of the building.

The murder was discovered after the victim was reported missing by his family and police opened an investigation into his disappearance, the court said.

In their investigation, the police depended on the victim’s mobile data and witnesses who last saw the victim.

The tribunal comprised judges Fawzi Nahar, Hussein Tharaba and Mohammad Udwan.

The verdict, which was issued earlier this month, will automatically be reviewed by the Cassation Court within the next 30 days.

AMMAN — The Lower House on Wednesday gave boards of trustees at public universities the power to recommend three candidates for university president, of which the Higher Education Council must appoint one.

The move was proposed by former Lower House Speaker Abdul Karim Dughmi during Wednesday’s session to discuss the temporary higher education and scientific research law.

Deputies also supported a suggestion that bans cooperation between local universities and their Israeli counterparts or any joint scientific research projects with them.

The bill, which was endorsed by the Lower House, will now be sent to the Senate for discussion and approval.

Also on Wednesday, a new coalition was officially launched, naming MP Mustafa Amawi, who heads the 17-MP Islamic Centrist Party (ICP) bloc, as its leader.

The new group brings together the ICP and the 18-MP Watan (Homeland) blocs to form a coalition of 35 members, according to Amawi.

Another bloc, National Union (15 MPs), was planning to join the coalition, but needs more time to decide, he said, noting that the new grouping will hold a meeting next week to name its executive office members.

Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh, who leads the Watan bloc, is a member of this coalition.

During Wednesday’s session, 17 MPs submitted a request to the Permanent Office of the Lower House calling for increasing the salaries of soldiers with ranks of warrant officer and below. The signatories said holders of these ranks receive low incomes and face difficult living conditions.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday discussed with US Secretary of State John Kerry the latest developments related to the Palestinian-Israeli peace talks, according to a Royal Court statement.

During the meeting, the Monarch reiterated the need to achieve a just and comprehensive peace agreement that leads to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the Palestinian national soil in a way that safeguards Jordan’s higher interests, especially those related to final status issues, the statement said.

Discussions also covered the latest regional developments, especially the situation in Syria.

The meeting was attended by Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, King’s Office Director Imad Fakhoury and other officials from both sides.  

AMMAN — Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh and UK Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Hugh Robertson on Wednesday discussed bilateral relations and the latest regional developments. 

In a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two offices stressed the importance of the US-brokered direct negotiations that are currently under way between the Palestinians and the Israelis, stressing the need for collective efforts to achieve required progress. 

Judeh reaffirmed Jordan’s fixed position in support for the establishment of an independent, sovereign and congruent Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital, within the pre-1967 borders, in accordance with international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative. 

He also stressed Jordan’s concern about final status issues, expressing the country’s support for all efforts exerted within this context. 

Regarding the situation in Syria, Judeh asserted the Kingdom’s position, which calls for ending the bloodshed and violence there, and stressed the need to arrive at a political solution that guarantees the security, safety and territorial integrity of Syria.    

The foreign minister highlighted the heavy burdens borne by the Kingdom as a result of hosting more than 600,000 Syrian refugees, expressing his appreciation of Britain’s support for Jordan. 

He added that the international community should shoulder its responsibilities in supporting Jordan to enable it to pursue its humanitarian mission.  

Robertson expressed his country’s appreciation and support of Jordan’s pivotal role, led by His Majesty King Abdullah, to achieve peace and stability in the region, stressing the need for continued coordination and consultation with the Kingdom.  

He also expressed the UK’s appreciation of Jordan’s role in hosting Syrian refugees, stressing Britain’s continued support for efforts exerted within this context. 

Also on Wednesday, Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh met with Robertson and discussed ways to boost bilateral relations between Jordan and Britain, especially parliamentary ties.

During the meeting, attended by Deputy Hazem Qashou, British Ambassador to Jordan Peter Millett and Dina Melhem from the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, Tarawneh commended the UK’s support for Jordan and for the Lower House in particular through the Westminster foundation. 

The speaker highlighted the reform process, noting that the government will submit a new law on political parties and at a later stage, an advanced elections law. 

Tarawneh also highlighted the repercussions of the Syrian crisis on Jordan. 

Robertson said Britain realises the difficulties that Jordan is facing due to the repercussions of the Syrian crisis, stressing the London’s commitment to assisting Amman in coping with the refugee influx.

Furthermore, members of the Forum of Jordanian Parliamentarian Women met with Robertson.

At the meeting, attended by female MPs from Egypt, Iraq, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia, discussions focused on the forum and principles to safeguard human rights, dignity and integrity, as well as women-related legislation.   

Robertson, who arrived in Jordan on Tuesday, is on his second official visit to the Kingdom.

KUWAIT — Arab leaders have agreed to invite the Syrian National Coalition (SNC) to take part in the upcoming Arab League gatherings, starting from the ministerial meeting slated for September.

The decision, adopted by Arab leaders at the March 25-26 summit in Kuwait, entails inviting the coalition’s representatives to take part in all meetings of the Arab summit and is considered an exceptional case to the rules followed at the Arab League, according to a copy of the resolution obtained by The Jordan Times. 

Arab League officials said earlier that the coalition was yet to complete procedures and comply with regulations of the 22-member body before it takes Syria’s seat.

The resolution said the coalition’s participation in the Arab League meetings does not come with any commitments that may affect the sovereignty of member states in the league.

Iraq and Algeria maintained their reservations on the decision, while Lebanon kept its neutral stand.

Saudi Arabia and the SNC on Tuesday criticised for not handing over the seat to the opposition coalition in violation of a decision towards that end by the Arab leaders at last year’s summit in Doha.

The seat became vacant after the Arab League suspended Syria’s membership in the pan-Arab organisation for the regime’s brutality in dealing with dissent.  

In an address Tuesday as a guest, SNC chief Ahmed Jarba, who was not allowed to speak from the chair reserved for Syria, urged Arab states to give the seat to the coalition as soon as possible.

“Leaving Syria’s seat empty sends a message to Assad... ‘Kill, kill the seat is waiting for you once the battle is settled’,” Jarba told the summit leaders.

He even called for Syrian embassies in the Arab capitals to be handed over to the coalition.

The resolution stressed the need for continued efforts to achieve a political solution to the Syrian crisis.

It also called for providing necessary support to countries hosting Syrian refugees and extending humanitarian assistance to them.

The resolution on Syria called on the Security Council to shoulder its responsibilities to end the stalemate in talks between the Syrian regime and the opposition and urged for more efforts to take an active step that leads to a political solution through negotiations in Syria.

The Syrian conflict, which entered its fourth year, claimed the lives of about 150,000 Syrians and made millions of Syrians either displaced or refugees in neighbouring countries, according to relief organisations.

KUWAIT— Arab leaders on Wednesday rejected Israel’s attempts to end the Hashemites’ custodianship over Al Aqsa Mosque and held it accountable for the impasse in the peace process and continued tensions in the Middle East.

The Arab leaders voiced their rejection of Israel’s demand to be recognised as a Jewish state and denounced continued settlement activities by Tel Aviv and its attempts to Judaise Jerusalem and change the demographics and geographic situation in the holy city, according to the Kuwait Declaration released at the end of the Arab summit in the Gulf emirate.

“We call on the Security Council, the EU and UNESCO to live up to their responsibilities towards Al Aqsa Mosque,” Kuwaiti foreign ministry undersecretary, Khaled Al Jarallah, said as he read out the final statement issued following the two-day summit.

Last year, Jordan and Palestine signed an agreement under which the Palestinian side “reaffirmed” the status of His Majesty King Abdullah as the custodian of the holy sites in Jerusalem. Under the deal, King Abdullah enjoys the “full right to exert all legal efforts to safeguard and preserve [Jerusalem’s holy sites], especially Al Aqsa Mosque, the main feature of Al Haram Al Sharif compound [or the Noble Sanctuary whose area is estimated at 144 dunums]”. 

The Arab leaders stressed that reconciliation among the Palestinian factions is key to realising the aspirations of the Palestinian people.

The Arab leaders condemned the massacres committed by the Syrian regime against the defenceless civilians, including the use of internationally prohibited weapons.

However, they called for political solution to the Syrian crisis in accordance with the Geneva I Declaration.

“We stress our solidarity with the Syrian people and support their legitimate rights in freedom and democracy and establishing a regime where all Syrians enjoy the right to participate in all institutions without any discrimination because of race, religion or sect,” said the communiqué.

Arab leaders pledged to work to end rifts amongst them, according to the declaration. 

“We pledge to work to put an end to the Arab divide through fruitful and constructive dialogue and to end all types of differences through transparency and honesty in words and deeds.”

Announcing the end of the summit, Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah said discussions during the summit reflected the Arab leaders’ genuine willingness to enhance Arab ties to reach desired levels.

Fourteen leaders attended this year’s summit, which was held in Kuwait for the first time.

Next year’s summit is scheduled to be held in Egypt.

AMMAN —  Authorities on Wednesday discovered a violation on a water main in Jiza that supplies one of the capital’s largest reservoirs, according to a government official.

A 75-millimetre pipe was installed on a 600-millimetre main that conveys water from the Qastal pumping station in south Amman to the Abu Alanda reservoir in east Amman, the official said.

“The technical teams faced difficulties in detecting and removing the illegal pipe because it was covered with reinforced concrete. They dug for several hours before they were able to reach the pipe,” he told The Jordan Times.

The water was being diverted to a nearby farm and used for the irrigation of crops, the official said.

“The case has been referred for investigation and legal action will be taken against the violator,” added the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, authorities have started a campaign to unveil all water violations on water networks and resources in Jiza.

“A report of all the detected violations will be submitted to the water minister by next week and the infringements will be addressed,” the official added.

The government announced recently that it was committed to putting an end to all water violations, describing water theft as a form of corruption. To this end, the government has drafted new amendments to the Water Authority of Jordan Law.

The law is currently in Parliament awaiting discussion and endorsement.

Since the ministry launched a crackdown on water violations in August last year, and up until December, more than 7,091 illegal water pipes were dismantled, of which 75.5 per cent were in the capital, according to the ministry’s figures.

The ministry registered 1,919 violations on main water conveyors and 3,360 cases of gauge tampering in Amman alone between August and December last year.

AMMAN — Syrian refugees can learn more about the services they are entitled to in Jordan and other issues of interest to them thanks to a radio show launched by UNESCO.  

Dubbed “Saa Suriya” (Syrian hour), the programme was first launched in 2012 after UNESCO noticed a lack of projects that provide information about issues and services related to refugees in the Kingdom, according to Maaly Hazzaz, UNESCO communication and information officer.

“Most projects targeting refugees were life-saving ones, covering health, education and real estate services, so we thought of a project to serve refugees by offering information,” she told The Jordan Times in a recent interview. 

The programme was first broadcast on Yarmouk FM for people who live in Irbid and Mafraq in the northern region, but it only lasted for three months due to lack of funds. 

Hazzaz noted that after they conducted a questionnaire survey among refugees to examine the effect of the programme, they found that a number of Syrians contacted Yarmouk FM to ask whether the show would be extended. 

UNESCO was able to resume broadcasting the show for another three months in 2013 after receiving funds from UNFPA.

“After the end of the show, we used its outcomes and importance to get more funding from the government of Japan to extend the programme. Now, the project will last for one year,” she added. 

The show was officially launched during the visit of UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova to Jordan earlier this month. 

It will be broadcast via Farah Al Nas Radio (98.5FM) every Sunday and Tuesday at 1pm. More information is available on its Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Saa.Suriya).

Speaking at a press conference during her visit last week, Bokova noted that the radio show creates a platform for both Syrian and Jordanian youths. 

“It is a modest project, but we hope that it will have a positive and huge impact on involving the youth around the idea of understanding each other [and] pursuing education,” she said.

Within this year’s project, a number of young Jordanians will take part in training courses on radio and humanitarian reporting. 

“These young people will [go on] field visits to refugees to do interviews with them, and find out their questions and comments about each issue that will be discussed in the show,” Bokova noted. 

Information is being collected from the government as well as international and local organisations that work with refugees. 

“The show tackles several issues including education, workforce and health. This show helps refugees understand their needs and rights, [as well as] things Syrians can do and are not allowed to do,” the UNESCO chief added. 

During the first five minutes of each programme, Saa Suriya broadcasts the latest services from which Syrian refugees can benefit, Hazzaz said. 

Around 3,153 radios will be distributed to refugees, according to UNESCO. 

“Radio is the best means of communication that can easily reach many people better than TV or newspapers,” Hazzaz added. 

Bilal Khasawneh, who presents Saa Suriya on Yarmouk FM, said the programme targets Syrians who live outside the Zaatari Refugee Camp.

The show airs every Monday and Wednesday at 5pm on Yarmouk FM.

Mohammad Massad, the presenter of the programme on Farah Al Nas, noted that the local community can also benefit from the show. 

The community radio station broadcasts daily to the 3 million residents of Amman, Zarqa and other governorates in the northern and southern regions of the Kingdom.

Applying the concept of media for development, the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development’s (JOHUD) Farah Al Nas Radio began broadcasting in July 2008. 

It was the first community radio station in Jordan to provide people with a platform for discussion, concentrating on women’s and youth issues, according to a JOHUD statement.