King renews confidence in military, security agencies

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah, the Supreme Commander of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF), on Tuesday reiterated his confidence in the army and security agencies, commending their role in defending the country and safeguarding its security and stability.

During a visit to the General Intelligence Department (GID), where he met with its Director Gen. Faisal Shobaki, His Majesty expressed his condolences over the death of five GID personnel in a terror attack that targeted the department's office, located outside the Palestinian refugee camp of Baqaa on Monday.

His Majesty stressed that Jordan is stable and secure, thanks to the efforts of JAF and other security agencies personnel, according to a Royal Court statement.

King Abdullah praised the security institutions' speed in apprehending the perpetrator of the attack which claimed the lives "of dear members of a department we all feel proud of", commending the high sense of responsibility the public showed in dealing with such incidents.

During the meeting, Shobaki, who is also the King’s adviser on national security affairs, presented the details of the attack and the apprehension of the suspect, the statement added.

"Our national unity is the weapon with which we confront all plots that target our stability and unity," His Majesty said, adding that such terror acts that are implemented by cowards “do not scare us".

At the end of the visit, the King expressed his pride and appreciation of the high level of efficiency of GID, JAF and other security personnel.

King Abdullah on Tuesday also received a telephone call from King Philippe of Belgium who expressed his condolences over the death of the GID personnel, and condemned the heinous criminal act.

The General Secretariat of the Arab Interior Ministers Council condemned the terrorist attack and expressed the council’s solidarity with the Kingdom in all efforts to combat terrorism.

Saudi King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on Tuesday offered his condolences over the death of the department’s personnel during a phone call with King Abdullah, during which he condemned the attack, voicing Saudi Arabia’s supportive stance to the Kingdom.

Morocco’s foreign ministry denounced the attack and voiced its condemnation of the terrorist act, expressing its solidarity with Jordan in combating all forms of terror, Petra added. 

Tunisia’s foreign ministry also condemned the attack in a statement carried by Petra and expressed solidarity with the Kingdom in facing terrorism and preserving security and stability.

Speaker of the Bahraini Council of Representatives Ahmad Molla also denounced the act, describing it as contradicting to all religions and humanitarian values, and offered his condolences to Jordan and to the families of the fallen officers.