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AMMAN — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan visited Tafileh on Sunday as part of his weekly tour of the Kingdom, inspecting several education, youth, and social initiatives.

During the tour, Hassan visited the Kaab Bin Umair School in Ghor Al Safi, where he reviewed the progress of a major maintenance project that was launched two months ago following his directive, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Hassan stressed the importance of maintaining the upgraded facilities at the school, which serves 815 students, calling for cooperative efforts to ensure a supportive educational environment, regular maintenance, and cleanliness standards.

Renovations at the school included the installation of solar panels, air conditioning, and a water filtration system, along with additional improvements such as landscaping, the creation of a playground, and a garden, and the development of outdoor spaces for various student activities.

The prime minister also visited the Community Development Centre in Ain Al Bayda. He commended the staff for their dedication and the high quality of services and programmes provided. 

Hassan also reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding these initiatives within available resources.

At the Basira Charity, which houses a public library, a language centre, and an IT facility, Hassan interacted with beneficiaries of training programmes and reviewed the services offered. 

He stressed the need for expanding these community-based activities to better serve local residents.

Hassan also toured the Basira Sports Club, accompanied by the minister of youth, recognising the management, coaches, and athletes for their accomplishments, particularly in judo. 

He also reiterated the government’s support for sports clubs and their essential role in nurturing talent across all age groups. 

Hassan also instructed the rehabilitation of a new sports hall for the club and the provision of necessary training equipment to enhance its programmes.

The prime minister, accompanied by the minister of education, also visited the Al Jurf Secondary School for Boys, where he met with students, teachers, and members of the community to assess the school's needs and instructed the expansion of ongoing renovations. He also stressed the importance of providing resources to support student activities and improve the school's overall facilities.

At the Al Jurf Secondary School for Girls, Hassan called for comprehensive maintenance, including rehabilitation of the facilities, enhancement of outdoor areas, and regular upkeep to ensure the continuity of the educational process.

Hassan was joined on the visit by Governor of Tafileh Omar Zuyoud. 

AMMAN — Secretary-General of the Foreign Ministry for Diplomatic and Expatriate Affairs Majed Qatarneh on Sunday met with Secretary-General of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Torgeir Larsen to discuss boosting bilateral relations and expanding cooperation across various sectors.

Qatarneh stressed the urgent need to stop the Israeli aggression on Gaza and address the dangerous escalation in the West Bank, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Larsen commended Jordan's efforts to stop the war, protect civilians, and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

AMMAN — Director General of the Department of Palestinian Affairs (DPA) Rafiq Khirfan and Director of UNRWA in Jordan Olaf Becker on Sunday discussed key demands and needs of Palestinian refugee camps and their challenges.

The officials' discussions came during a meeting with a number of heads and members of camp service committees, advisory bodies, representatives of civil society institutions and camp dignitaries, to follow up on efforts to overcome difficulties and challenges facing UNRWA's operations, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Khirfan said that UNRWA suffers a fierce attack by Israel, the latest of which were the Knesset laws that prohibit the agency from operating in the West Bank and Gaza.

He praised Jordan's diplomatic efforts, led by His Majesty King Abdullah, and implemented by the Foreign Ministry, to stop the war on Gaza, deliver aid to the strip, support UNRWA and emphasise its symbolism as a testimony to the Palestinian cause and its importance in serving Palestinian refugees.

Khirfan commended the Royal initiatives that were launched in camps, and covered all sectors, mainly youth clubs, women's centres, community rehabilitation centres, cemeteries, and housing, which had a "remarkable" impact in improving their living conditions.

For his part, Becker said: "Despite the fierce war waged on UNRWA and the difficult conditions in Gaza, UNRWA is continuing its work to deliver aid, treat the wounded, and conduct vaccination campaigns for children."

He noted that UNRWA is battling difficult financial circumstances, but it will carry out its work under the UN mandate.

Calling for supporting UNRWA, the camp committees stressed their support for the Kingdom's leadership, commending Jordan's great efforts to stop the war on Gaza and deliver aid to the coastal enclave.

AMMAN — The Crown Prince Foundation (CPF) on Sunday concluded activities of the "Foundation in the Governorates" campaign, which was launched in October to enhance direct contact with youth nationwide.

The campaign witnessed a "wide" turnout, as over 7,000 youth engaged in the sessions, while its activities via live streaming service on social media platforms topped 1 million views, according to a CPF statement cited by the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

Featuring 15 ad hoc dialogues in 12 public Jordanian universities, the campaign saw the participation of more than 63 experts from various fields to discuss various issues in entrepreneurship, innovation, sports, media, tourism, technology, and artificial intelligence, as well as highlighting youth success stories for participants in the CPF programmes.

The CPF provided information-driven platforms within Jordan's public universities with the participation of over 70 volunteers, aimed to offer information about the foundation’s action paths and programmes, its opportunities and mechanisms for accessing its offices across the Kingdom.

The campaign also aimed to enhance access to "quality" opportunities for youth and provide an "empowering" environment to acquire new expertise and skills that contribute to developing their capabilities.

To achieve this goal, universities were picked as the main platforms for engaging with youth due to their "vital role" in bringing together students from different backgrounds.

The foundation announced that the campaign will continue next year, calling on youth to follow its official channels via its website and social media platforms to learn about participation in upcoming events.

- 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.