King calls for united stand in face of challenges

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday met with former prime ministers and political figures over current affairs and present challenges facing the Kingdom, a statement from the Royal Court said.

The meeting came as part of His Majesty's continuous contact with senior politicians and officials, the statement said.

During the meeting, held at Al Husseiniya Palace, the King said that the circumstances Jordan is currently undergoing require all to respond firmly and in unity to security, economic and social challenges.

His Majesty praised the level of awareness Jordanians exhibit, stressing the need to improve security measures to respond more effectively to threats to internal security.

He said that security agencies carry out successful security operations on a daily basis without media coverage, stressing that the challenges on the northern borders require high alertness on the part of the army and the security agencies.

"However, we are not worried, as we trust their ability to deal with any threat," he added.

His Majesty urged concerned agencies to work on enhancing the rule of law by taking the necessary measures to ensure people’s compliance to the law, and to enhance integrity and efficient performance of the security agencies and the judiciary.

“We are awaiting the outcomes of the Royal Committee for Developing the Judiciary and Enhancing the rule of law," His Majesty noted, stressing the need to improve the performance of state agencies and devise plans to address corruption, maladministration and inefficiency at some public institutions.

His Majesty said that economy is the foremost challenge, especially the problems of poverty and unemployment, highlighting the private sector's role in generating more jobs and contributing to economic growth.

He underscored the urgency of collective efforts to alleviate burdens on the middle- and low-income segments.

In regard to the regional situation, His Majesty said that priority goes to protecting national interests in any stand taken by Jordan regarding the neighbourhood’s crises.

As for Jordan’s relations with the new US administration, he said that there will be continuous communications in the near future with the administration and the Congress.

He expressed hope for improved strategic relations with the US, while, at the same time, maintaining the positive ties with Russia.

His Majesty warned against any other formulae to solve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict than the two-state solution and cautioned against giving up hope on the peace process. He stressed the significance of Jerusalem for Muslims and possible repercussions of changing the de facto situation on the region’s peace and security.

On Iraq, he urged reconciliation among Iraqis and the need to support Iraq, a topic that will be presented for discussion at the upcoming Arab summit.

He said that Jordan has no agendas regarding Iraq other than serving the Iraqi people’s interests and the country’s stability.

The King highlighted the importance of better cooperation between the US and Russia to work out a solution to the Syrian crisis.

Regarding developments in Libya, King Abdullah stressed that Jordan is working with several countries to stabilise the Arab-African country through eliminating terrorism.

The Arab summit, to be held in Amman in March, will focus on Jerusalem, the Palestinian issue, the Syrian crisis, Iraq and Libya, along with efforts to combat terrorism and extremism, the King noted.

In regard to fighting terror organisations, His Majesty said that the khawarij, or outlaws of Islam, constitute the most serious threat to the region and the world. 

The meeting hosted former prime ministers Abdul Karim Kabariti, Abdur-Rauf  Rawabdeh and Ali Abul Ragheb, along with former Lower House speaker Abdul Latif Arabiat, former ministers Abdul Ilah Khatib, Nayef Qadi, Saad Hayel Srour and Bassam Hadaddin, and politician and former MP Abla Abu Olbeh.

For their part, the attendees lauded the efforts of the King to improve the living standards of Jordanians and preserve the security and stability of Jordan amid regional challenges.

They underlined in this context His Majesty’s support for the Palestinian cause and defence of Jerusalem’s holy shrines.

They also emphasised the importance of the King’s Discussion Papers, which he released over the past four years, pointing out the sixth paper that focused on the civil state and the rule of law, stressing that the state agencies should incorporate these principles in their everyday operations. 

The former officials urged support for various institutions to further entrench a culture of democracy, underlining the importance of boosting public trust in the state and reinforcing the internal front in the face of attempts to tamper with the assets and achievements of the country. 

At the external level, they emphasised the King’s role of communicating and coordinating positions on regional crises and their impact on the national economy and the international community, especially the new US administration.

They said that the present economic challenge “requires intensified efforts to mitigate its acuteness and impact on the low- and middle-income strata. 

The former senior officials expressed pride in the army and security agencies, and called for continued efforts to combat corruption and empower the private sector to play a more active role in the national economy.

Regarding the media, they urged a “realistic and clear” coverage and national public messages to audiences.