Gov’t says country, public places safe, under control

AMMAN — The government on Sunday described the security situation inside the Kingdom and on the borders as stable, stressing that there are no serious or direct threats on Jordan.

The assurances came during a Cabinet session, during which Interior Minister Hussein Majali voiced confidence in the ability of the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF) and security bodies to safeguard the country's security and stability, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

During the session, presided over by Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour, the Cabinet said that the government, JAF and other security bodies are keeping a close eye on developments in neighbouring countries and that all the necessary precautions are in place to control the borders and protect Jordan from any dangers.

The assurances came as Western embassies issued warnings to their citizens in Jordan.

The statements included advice to stay away from malls, the Amman city centre and some Jordanian towns where jihadist groups are believed to have a wider base of supporters like Zarqa and Maan.

The Cabinet also dismissed such threats as “rumours”, asserting public places in the capital and elsewhere are safe, yet called for “vigilance”.

The Cabinet also stressed that Jordan, which “has been always targeted by terrorist organisations”, is working on enhancing its internal front and is in constant coordination with brotherly and friendly countries in that endeavour.

Also on Sunday, the interior minister held a meeting at the ministry, in the presence of HRH Prince Rashid bin El-Hassan, commander of the SWAT police unit, to discuss any potential security challenges and means to confront them to maintain safety, security and stability across the Kingdom, Petra reported. 

At the meeting, also attended by the ministry’s secretary general, Samir Mubaideen, Amman’s Governor Khaled Awad and several security commanders, Majali said the meeting was convened to discuss security plans and strategies and review the role of security bodies in dealing with emergencies.  

The official reiterated that the country and the Jordanian people will not allow any party to undermine the Kingdom’s security and stability. 

Participants discussed several issues and measures that should be taken to deal with security challenges, mainly intensifying monitoring and inspection operations. 

At the end of the meeting, they agreed to maintain coordination and contacts and to hold periodic meetings to assess and boost security conditions, in a manner that achieves the country’s higher interests, according to Petra.