Category: General

Almost 320 thousand visitors and tourists have come to Jordan’s historical and archeological sites during the last week.

Ministry of Tourism spokesperson Ahmed Al-Rifai told Petra that the archeological sites in the Kingdom have witnessed an active tourism movement form different nationalities including Jordanians.

Government measures which alleviated restrictions related to COVID-19 have contributed to activating the tourism movement in Jordan and facilitating the arrival of tourists to the Kingdom, Al-Rifai said

Source: Jordan News Agency

His Majesty King Abdullah met with US President Joe Biden at the White House on Friday and reaffirmed the deep-rooted ties of friendship and the strategic partnership between the two countries.

At the meeting, attended by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, King Abdullah expressed appreciation for the United States’ ongoing support for Jordan across all sectors, to enable the Kingdom to continue its economic development endeavours and its efforts towards regional stability.

For his part, President Biden expressed full support for Jordan, under His Majesty’s leadership, commending the Kingdom as a critical ally and a force for stability in the Middle East.

The meeting covered the latest regional and international developments, foremost of which is the Palestinian cause, with the King calling for stepping up international efforts to relaunch Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 4 June 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital.

His Majesty stressed the United States’ key role in this regard, warning against the cycle of violence in the Palestinian Territories due to unilateral Israeli measures.

President Biden expressed support for the two-state solution, noting the need for urgent mechanisms to stem violence and reduce tensions in the Palestinian Territories.

The president stressed the need to preserve the historic status quo at Al Haram Al Sharif, noting the crucial role of the Hashemite Custodianship in Jerusalem.

Discussions covered ways to deepen Jordanian-US ties and bolster economic and development cooperation, especially through regional integration in infrastructure, energy, water, and climate projects, so that Jordan functions as a hub for this cooperation and investment.

The meeting also covered regional and international efforts to fight terrorism and reach political solutions to regional crises.

The crisis in Ukraine and its impact on international peace and security, as well as the global economy were also discussed.

The two sides stressed the importance of maintaining coordination and consultation to continue bolstering the historical partnership between Jordan and the United States.

Source: Jordan News Agency

His Majesty King Abdullah on Friday checked on the health of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, in a phone call with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who is also the deputy prime minister and minister of defence of Saudi Arabia.

King Abdullah asked Crown Prince Mohammed to convey his greetings to King Salman, expressing wishes for continued good health and wellbeing, after he recently underwent medical check-ups.

The phone call also covered the strong ties between the two countries and the latest regional and international developments, with His Majesty stressing the importance of maintaining coordination and consultation on issues of mutual concern and on expanding cooperation.

Source: Jordan News Agency

His Majesty King Abdullah and US Agency for International Development Administrator Samantha Power on Thursday discussed the programs USAID implements in Jordan.

The meeting, attended by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, covered programs in the fields of water and education, as well as enhancing governance, and empowering youth and women.

King Abdullah expressed appreciation of the United States’ important role in supporting Jordan’s development efforts through regional networking and integration, noting the need to step them up to counter international crises that threaten energy security and food security.

The meeting included a review of regional economic partnership projects, which include Jordan and are supported by the USAID, in the fields of energy, water, and food security, for the benefit of the entire region.

For her part, Administrator Power commended Jordan’s efforts in hosting Syrian refugees, and its keenness to work with regional partners to enhance resilience against various crises and their economic implications.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, and Jordan’s Ambassador in Washington, DC, Dina Kawar attended the meeting.

Source: Jordan News Agency

His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday reaffirmed that Jordan and the United States’ shared keenness to enhance regional stability is a key pillar in their strategic partnership.

At a meeting with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin held at the Pentagon, King Abdullah warned against the continuous cycle of violence in the Palestinian Territories, especially in light of unilateral Israeli measures, stressing that the repercussions would be damaging to regional security and stability.

In remarks to the media ahead of his meeting with Secretary Austin, attended by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, His Majesty said, “the relationship between our two nations has been an enduring one for many, decades, but specifically between our armed forces”.

The King noted that his visit to Washington, DC, seeks to enhance cooperation with “our American friends”, adding that “as we look to the challenges of the region and the future, we know that we will be standing next to each other more and more. And that gives me tremendous hope.”

His Majesty said countries in the region look forward to cooperating with the United States in bringing stakeholders together to address multiple challenges, including the rise of terrorism that has had two years to incubate and increase during the pandemic, in addition to challenges resulting from the crisis between Ukraine and Russia, and its regional implications.

For his part, Secretary Austin said, “Jordan is a valued leader in a difficult neighborhood and a powerful partner for stability and security in the region,” adding that the longstanding partnership and friendship with Jordan is more important than ever, due to the threats the two countries face.

Austin stressed the United States’ keenness on bolstering its partnership with Jordan, and expanding it in several fields, adding, “I look forward to our discussion and to finding ways to deepening this great partnership”.

The US secretary of defense also commended Jordan’s efforts and commitment in the fight against Daesh, and its support for the two-state solution to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, in addition to supporting the security of the Palestinian people, and promoting stability in Lebanon and Iraq.

He expressed the United States’ concern over the latest escalation and violence in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, commending His Majesty’s “critical role” in de-escalating tensions, and noting that the US looks to work with Jordan towards security, stability and just peace for the Palestinians and the Israelis.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, and Jordan’s Ambassador in Washington, DC, Dina Kawar attended the meeting.

From the US side, Chairman of the Joint chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley and a number of senior officials attended the meeting.

Source: Jordan News Agency

A slight rise in temperatures, on Friday, is expected, bringing warm weather conditions countrywide and relatively hot conditions in the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea and the port city of Aqaba, the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) said.

Winds will be northwesterly moderate, picking up at times, the JMD noted.

As for tomorrow, a hot air mass start affecting the Kingdom, pushing temperatures 6 to 8 degrees Celsius above their seasonal average.

Temperatures in the capital Amman will range between a high of 27 degrees Celsius and a low of 17 degrees.

Highs in the port city of Aqaba will hike up to 37 degrees during the day, sliding to 24 at night.

Source: Jordan News Agency

His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday met with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and US National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk, in Washington, DC.

The meeting, attended by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, covered means of enhancing the strategic partnership between Jordan and the United States.

Discussions also addressed regional issues, and ways to reach political solutions to regional crises, with His Majesty reiterating the need to bring back momentum to the peace process and relaunch negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis, on the basis of the two-state solution, guaranteeing the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 4 June 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

For his part, Sullivan commended Jordan’s pivotal role in promoting regional security and stability, stressing the United States’ keenness on maintaining coordination and working with the Kingdom to counter threats to regional stability and their implications on international peace, in addition to ongoing efforts in the fight against terrorism and extremism.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, and Jordan’s Ambassador in Washington, DC, Dina Kawar attended the meetings.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET) launched the EMPHNET Electronic Library (EEL) as part of its efforts to exchange knowledge and enhance public health practice and capacities in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR).

EEL is a free electronic public health resource that supports public health professionals and field epidemiologists in the EMR. It provides its users with access to resources and tools that will advance their research and practices.

EEL is also another space for spreading public health education and information that would contribute to bridging the information-to-action gap in the region.

Commenting on the anticipated impact of EEL on public health practice, Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network Muhannad Ensour said “We are happy to launch such a tool into the EMR. We aim to improve public health practice and research by providing access to information through this library. We aim for EEL to be a comprehensive resource in the EMR, supporting field epidemiologists and public health professionals.”

EEL contains multiple resources related to public health such as e-journals, and e-books. The library will be updated continuously in conjunction with the rapidly changing public health situation.

Eventually, this will help in advancing public health practices and research by providing healthcare professionals across the region with access to evidence-based information.

EEL will continue to build partnerships with institutes and libraries to further enhance its resource portfolio and to create more opportunities for users and researchers in the region to advance their work.

Source: Jordan News Agency

United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has died, state news agency WAM reported on Friday. He was also ruler of Abu Dhabi emirate.

The Ministry of Presidential Affairs declared official national mourning for the death of the president for 40 days from Friday.

Work in both public and private sectors will be paused for three days, also from Friday, the Dubai Media Office clarified.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The government, on Friday, voiced its deepest sorrow over the passing of United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh voiced his deepest condolences to the brotherly government and people of the UAE, adding that the Arab nation has lost a leader devoted his life to serve his nation’s interests.

Khasawneh announced that flags will be flown at half-mast in the Kingdom for three days as of today, in tribute to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Source: Jordan News Agency