Freihat appointed chairman of joint chiefs-of-staff

AMMAN — A Royal Decree was issued on Sunday appointing Maj. Gen. Mahmoud Freihat as chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff, a Royal Court statement said.

Another decree was issued referring King’s Military Adviser and chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Gen. Mashal Al Zaben to retirement as of Sunday, while a further decree appointed him as military adviser to the King. 

In a letter His Majesty King Abdullah addressed to the outgoing army chief, he praised Zaben’s dedication and loyal service in the past years, and commended his dedication throughout a 45-year military career.

In the letter, His Majesty commended Zaben as “who has upheld and delivered on his responsibilities and duties, performing them with utmost confidence, courage and honour".

“You rose up to the expectations and set an example of devotion in carrying out your duties under very difficult regional circumstances and challenges that our Armed Forces rose up to face with excellence, earning worldwide respect and recognition, while continuing to carry the banner of the Great Arab Revolt army and its Hashemite message with honour and dignity.

"After 45 years of continuous service in our Armed Forces, it is time for you to move on to another position where you can carry on serving our beloved country. I wish you all the success in your new role. You will always be close to me and a person whom I trust, respect and hold in high esteem," His Majesty added. 

Born in Jerash in 1960, Maj. Gen. Freihat joined the army in 1978 as a cadet and graduated from the Royal Military Academy as an officer in 1980. 

He moved up the military hierarchy and assumed several leadership posts, including the commander of the Northern Military Region between 2013-2015. 

He has also served as a director of the joint military operations, a military attaché at the Jordanian embassy in London and finally the director of the strategic planning directorate before he was appointed as the chairman of the joint chiefs-of-staff.

He holds a master’s degree in defence studies from the UK’s Royal College of Defence Studies and a master’s in international relations from the London-based King’s College.