Khoury says he ‘did not mean to offend army’; Bino suspended for five sessions

AMMAN — MP Tarek Khoury said on Wednesday that he did not mean any offence to the army in his remarks in Parliament a day earlier, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

In Tuesday’s Lower House session, Khoury said the army is protecting the borders of countries in the region like Saudi Arabia.

Khoury said in his remarks that at a time when Jordan helps protect its allies’ interests in the region, these allies do not extend help to address the budget deficit.

“Talking about the nature of coalitions in the region and their effects on the Kingdom is not an offence to former Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi or to current President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi,” Khoury (Zarqa, 1st District) said in a statement carried by Petra. 

The House’s second session to debate the 2017 draft budget had ended abruptly on Tuesday evening after an altercation between MPs.

Islamist MPs representing Al Islah (Reform) bloc jeered Khoury when he suggested that Morsi was put in power by the United States.

“Our allies turned the tables on Egypt to place Morsi as president and funded him with $19 billion in 2012,” he claimed.

Khoury was interrupted by Islamist MP Abdullah Akaileh (Amman, 2nd District), who said: “That is not true,” and another MP shouted: “This is an insult to religion. Morsi is a religious figure.”

“If he had not been placed [in power by the US], he would not have received these huge funds,” Khoury retorted.

Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh told the interrupting MPs to remain quiet, warning: “Those who cannot tolerate political debate should leave.”

The dispute re-ignited when MP Tamer Bino (Amman, 5th District) approached Tarawneh’s podium and addressed the permanent office in an aggressive manner, striking the podium in protest against Khoury’s speech.

Bino was immediately removed by force.

On Wednesday, the House decided to suspend Bino’s membership for five consecutive Chamber meetings, and the House Conduct Committee said his behaviour is tantamount to contempt of Parliament.