King meets US homeland security secretary over anti-terror fight

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Saturday discussed “strategic partnership” with US Secretary of Homeland Security John F. Kelly, especially in security fields, a Royal Court statement said. 

During the meeting, His Majesty and Kelly discussed regional and international efforts to combat terrorism within a comprehensive strategy, highlighting the importance of intensifying coordination and cooperation among all the concerned countries to face terrorism. 

The meeting was attended by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Freihat and General Intelligence Department Director Maj. Gen. Adnan Jundi.

Also on Saturday, King Abdullah discussed bilateral cooperation in economic and investment fields with Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, the statement said. 

During the meeting, attended by Prime Minister Hani Mulki, the King stressed the importance of building on the visit of Singapore’s Prime Minster Lee Hsien-Loong to the Kingdom last year and the free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries in order to boost investments in vital sectors. 

During the premier’s visit in April 2016, King Abdullah said Jordan was looking forward to enhancing and expanding relations with Singapore, mainly in economic and investment fields, and stressed the importance of building on the FTA to open new markets for their exports and enhance trade exchange. 

The King and Balakrishnan discussed yesterday efforts to combat terrorism, with the Singaporean foreign minister commending Jordan’s pivotal role in achieving security and stability in the region, stressing Singapore’s interest to boost cooperation with the Kingdom. 

Also on Saturday, His Majesty discussed bilateral relations in economic and tourism fields with Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman.

The King and Aman discussed ways to boost coexistence and the Malaysian model in harmonious living among followers of different religions, in addition to the importance of boosting efforts to combat terrorism, according to the Royal Court.

For his part, the Malaysian foreign minister voiced his country’s appreciation of the King’s efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region. 

Both meetings were attended by Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh, Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and King’s Office Director Jafar Hassan.  

King Abdullah also discussed bilateral relations and cooperation in military and security fields with Filipino National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, with the attendance of Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Freihat and Maj. Gen. Adnan Jundi.