Army celebrates King’s birthday

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah, the Supreme Commander of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF), on Monday attended the JAF celebration of his 56th birthday.

Upon his arrival to the Princess Basma Third Mechanised Battalion, the King was received by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Freihat and east military zone commander Brig. Gen. Mohammad Bani Yaseen.

The King checked on the battalion’s weapons that were used in 2010 NATO Operational compatibility programme, in accordance with international standards, a Royal Court statement said.

The weapons, some of which were manufactured by the King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau, included rockets, sniper rifles, night vision and navigation devices and a station for the protection from chemical weapon attacks.

His Majesty listened to briefings by officers on the battalion’s weapons, equipment and units before touring the tactical centre.

King Abdullah conducted a video call with border guarding personnel at the units of the eastern front of the Kingdom, and checked on their conditions.

For their part, the personnel congratulated the King on his birthday.

As part of the celebration, the battalion organised a show including a photo exhibition of the battalion’s martyrs, patriotic poetry reciting and a tug of war.

Several Royal family members, directors of security agencies, and senior military officers attended the celebration.