Local

AMMAN — Mercy Corps Jordan has completed the opening of four football playgrounds in targeted local communities in Mafraq, Irbid and Ramtha, according to a statement issued by the organisation this week.

The total cost of the four football playgrounds is JD220,000.

The establishment of the playgrounds is within the Leadership and Community Development Project implemented by Mercy Corps and funded by the British embassy in collaboration with the UNHCR.

The project seeks to support efforts to respond to the impact of the Syrian crisis on host communities.

NEW YORK — HH Prince Zeid Bin Raad, Jordan’s permanent representative to the UN, on Wednesday stressed the importance of providing security along with humanitarian support in order to rebuild a country or area devastated by war.

Prince Zeid made the statement in an address that he delivered at the UN Security Council during a discussion on boosting the rule of law.

In a post-conflict environment, he stressed the need to establish efficient criminal and financial courts.

Prince Zeid also asked that the number of legal advisers at international peace-keeping contingents be increased.

AMMAN — Jordan Nurses and Midwives Association President Mohammad Hatamleh on Wednesday said around 15 people attacked two nurses and another employee at Prince Hamzah Hospital.

One of the nurses was critically wounded and was admitted to hospital after the attack.

A woman threatened to sue the nurse, who filed a complaint at the police station, unless he withdraw his complaint, Hatamleh said, adding that the association contacted the Ministry of Health and was following up on the nurse’s situation.

He said this is the sixth attack reported this year against nurses.

AMMAN — The Cabinet on Wednesday was briefed on the 2007-13 national strategy for science and technology, which was prepared by the Higher Council for Science and Technology in cooperation with experts from the public and private sectors.

The strategy aims at improving the role science and technology play in supporting the national economy.

The Council of Ministers was also acquainted with measures taken by the Planning Ministry to replace a number of infrastructure projects in governorates upon a recommendation from its Gulf Cooperation Council grant unit.

AMMAN — The government on Wednesday denounced the barging of Israeli Knesset member Moshe Feiglin, along with other Jewish extremists, into Al Aqsa Mosque, under the protection of the Israeli occupation forces.

Government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani held the Israeli government fully responsible for allowing extremists to enter the mosque.

DUBAI — Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh on Wednesday met members of the Jordanian community in Dubai to discuss issues that matter to Jordanians in Jordan and abroad.

During the meeting, organised by the Jordan Business Council (JBC) in Dubai, Tarawneh said His Majesty King Abdullah is keen on involving expatriates with what happens in the Kingdom.

JBC Chairman Ihsan Qatawneh called for drafting a law that enables Jordanian expatriates to participate in elections, highlighting the important role they play in supporting the national economy.

AMMAN — Senate President Abdur-Ra’uf S. Rawabdeh on Wednesday met with the Christine Kamerman, president of the Jordanian-French Parliamentary Friendship Committee in the French senate.

Rawabdeh praised the cooperation level between the two countries, which he said developed remarkably during the past years, stressing the importance of expanding parliamentary cooperation.

The officials also reviewed the reform steps Jordan has taken and the latest regional developments.

Kamerman expressed France’s readiness to enhance cooperation with Jordan, praising the Kingdom’s reform process and its efforts to support peace and stability in the region.

SALT — Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga and Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications Mohammad Momani visited Mahis Secondary School for Girls in Balqa on Wednesday.

Jahjaga, who is on an official visit to the Kingdom, was also briefed on the educational programmes run by Her Majesty Queen Rania’s Madrasati initiative at the school, which is among the leading schools included in the initiative.

The president expressed her country’s interest in benefiting from the Jordanian experience in education.

During her several-day visit to Jordan, Jahjaga is scheduled to meet with senior officials to discuss regional and international issues of mutual concern and ways to enhance cooperation.

AMMAN — Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour on Wednesday met with UNRWA Commissioner General Filippo Grandi, who ended his term in Jordan.

The premier expressed his appreciation of Grandi’s efforts, commending UNRWA’s role in serving Palestinian refugees in the Kingdom.

He stressed the need for the agency to play a political role to support the Palestinians’ right to return and not just provide them with humanitarian aid.

Ensour called for supporting efforts exerted by US Secretary of State John Kerry to move the peace process forward, arriving at a just solution that guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

For his part, Grandi thanked Jordan for its political and diplomatic support to UNRWA.

AMMAN — HRH Prince Hassan on Wednesday said His Majesty the late King Hussein was his inspiring teacher for decades where the two worked together to serve public interest.

Delivering a lecture upon an invitation from the Jordan Media Institute, on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of King Hussein’s passing, Prince Hassan said the conspiracies that were woven against this region represented major challenges for King Hussein, recounting his beginnings and achievements in terms of political work.

At the lecture — attended by JMI founder HRH Princess Rym Ali, several media officials and JMI students — Prince Hassan said: “You have to understand the past to understand the present.”  Addressing students, he underlined the importance of setting priorities and learning how to run resources, stressing the importance of institutionalised Arab action.