Local

- Meeting covers army's efforts to safeguard borders, including necessary steps taken to secure northern border

- Discussions touch upon efforts to ensure security of Jordanians in Syria

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Saturday chaired a National Security Council meeting, which covered the latest regional developments, especially the situation in Syria.

The meeting covered the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army’s efforts to safeguard national security and the Kingdom’s borders, including the necessary steps taken to secure the northern border, according to a Royal Court statement. 

The meeting also covered efforts by the relevant state institutions to ensure the security of Jordanians in Syria, as well as measures to enable the return of Jordanian citizens and trucks to Jordan after the Ministry of Interior’s decision to close the Jaber border crossing with Syria.

Discussions touched on the latest developments related to the war on Gaza and means to end it, as well as Jordan’s efforts to bolster the flow of aid to the Strip through all available means, the statement said. 

AMMAN — Minister of Government Communication and Government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani on Saturday reiterated the Kingdom's commitment to maintaining Syria’s security, stability and territorial unity.

Speaking to Al Mamlaka TV, Momani highlighted the significant efforts of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF) and all relevant institutions to deal with the evolving situation in Syria.

In response to the recent escalation in Syria, the minister said that Jordan has taken a number of measures to protect its borders and interests, including securing border crossings, managing the free trade zone, and strengthening border security along the 378-kilometer border it shares with Syria.

"The army, equipped with extensive experience and high capabilities, is actively securing the Kingdom’s borders," Momani said. He praised the effective coordination among state institutions in addressing the challenges posed by regional developments, including the situation in Syria.

Jordan's decision to close certain border crossings as was accompanied by calls for Jordanian citizens and trucks in Syria to return home due to heightened risks in the [northern neighbour ], he noted.

Momani also highlighted the ongoing efforts of the "crisis cell," which combines various government agencies to respond to the impact of the events in Syria. "Ongoing coordination is essential to meet the needs of citizens and overcome the challenges posed by this situation."

He also highlighted Jordan's proactive political and diplomatic efforts to promote initiatives aimed at ensuring Syria's security and stability, noting that such efforts directly contribute to Jordan's national security.

AMMAN — The Foreign Ministry on Friday urged Jordanian citizens residing in or travelling through Syria to leave immediately to ensure their safety in light of the ongoing developments in the country. 

According to the Jordan News Agency, Petra, the ministry's spokesperson announced the establishment of a national crisis cell comprising all relevant entities in the Kingdom.

The crisis cell is tasked with coordinating efforts to evacuate Jordanian citizens in Syria and ensure their safe return to the Kingdom, the spokesperson added.

The official also said that the ministry, through its Directorate of Operations and Consular Affairs and the Jordanian embassy in Damascus, is closely monitoring the condition of Jordanians in Syria, assuring that all are currently safe.

The spokesperson urged Jordanians in Syria to exercise maximum caution and immediately register their details on the Jordanian Embassy in Damascus’ website via the following link:  

AMMAN — Royal Court Chief Yousef Issawi on Saturday inaugurates the newly constructed building of the Disi Women Cooperative Association, which was built upon Royal directives.

His Majesty King Abdullah, accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Rania in January of the previous year visited the association to review its programmes aimed at local development and tourism promotion.

The new 400-square-metre facility includes a pottery workshop, an art studio, and a dining hall, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

Fully furnished and equipped, the building supports the association's mission to empower local women through service, training, and development projects.

Founded in 2010, the association specialises in pottery and ceramics, sewing training, school readiness programmes, and agricultural initiatives, such as conserving endangered plant species like wormwood, sage, and wild thyme.

A key initiative of the association is its cultural tourism project, which features a productive kitchen offering traditional dishes. 

Visitors can actively participate in meal preparation, creating a unique and immersive tourist experience while providing job opportunities for local women.

In Wadi Rum, Issawi, who also leads the follow-up committee for the implementation of Royal initiatives, assessed the progress of a comprehensive development plan launched under Royal patronage. The plan focuses on tourism development, urban planning, community empowerment, and environmental conservation.

During the visit, Issawi also toured the Rum Village expansion project, which seeks to balance the area’s natural beauty and UNESCO World Heritage status with the demands of population growth. 

As part of the project, 593 plots of land have been allocated to local residents, and infrastructure development, including roads and utilities, was underway.

Issawi also reviewed the Wadi Rum road rehabilitation project, which includes the construction of an 18-kilometre lane parallel to the existing road to improve accessibility and safety. 

The project also incorporates a dedicated bicycle lane and an entrance designed to preserve the region’s ecological integrity. Located 6.5 kilometres from the Desert Highway, the new gateway aims to offer visitors a more immersive experience of Wadi Rum’s stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage.

AMMAN — The Amman Chamber of Industry's (ACI) exports exceeded JD6 billion in the first 11 months of 2024, despite a "slight" decline compared with the same period in 2023.

Exports certified by the chamber's certificates of origin totalled JD6.397 billion, down from JD6.406 billion last year, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

Seven industrial sectors saw growth in exports, with the chemical and cosmetics industries recording a 22 per cent increase, and the plastic and rubber industries seeing a 4.3 per cent rise.

Three sectors experienced declines,  with the packaging, paper, and stationery industries dropping by 4 per cent, the construction sector falling by 22.4 per cent, and the mining industries experiencing a 24.4 per cent decrease.

India, the US, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq accounted for more than half of the chamber’s total exports, reaching JD4.032 billion. 

Exports to the US surged by 44 per cent, rising to JD1.533 billion from JD1.064 billion last year, making the US the top destination for exports from Amman’s industries, ahead of both Arab and foreign markets.

In terms of regional distribution, Arab countries received the largest share of exports, valued at JD2.895 billion, followed by non-Arab Asian countries at JD1.279 billion and African countries at JD31 million.

The ACI, established in 1962, currently represents 8,600 industrial enterprises, employs 159,000 workers, and operates with a combined capital of approximately JD5 billion.

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi met with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday to discuss efforts to stop the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip and address the ensuing humanitarian crisis.

They also underscored the critical importance of protecting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), emphasising its vital, irreplaceable role in supporting Palestinian refugees, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Safadi and Guterres called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the swift delivery of humanitarian aid into the region.

The discussions also focused on enhancing cooperation between Jordan and UN agencies to provide essential humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

Safadi and Guterres reviewed developments in Syria, with Safadi reiterating the necessity of reaching a political solution that upholds Syria's unity, security, stability, and the well-being of its citizens.

AMMAN — The situation on the Jaber border crossing into Syria was stable "so far", an official said on Saturday, amid rising violence on the Syrian side of the border.

Director general of the Jordanian-Syrian free zone Irfan Khasawneh said on Saturday that operations in the zone remained normal and stable despite ongoing developments on the Syrian side of the border.

Khasawneh also noted that warehouses at the Jaber-Nasib free zone currently hold goods equivalent to the capacity of 300 trucks, owned by investors of various nationalities, including Jordanians, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

He also said that 124 Syrian-registered trucks have been stuck at the crossing since last Thursday due to the closure of the crossing from the Syrian side.

Jordan closed its Jaber crossing with Syria on Friday but kept it partially open to receive Jordanians returning from Syria to the Kingdom.