Day: April 17, 2025

Amman: Prime Minister, Jafar Hassan, on Thursday made an inspection tour in the Hasa District of southern Tafilah governorate and Husseiniya District of Ma’an governorate. The tour took the premier to five key sites, as part of his ongoing field visits, aimed at enhancing Jordan’s public services and local development.

According to Jordan News Agency, in Hasa, the PM, accompanied by the Minister of Social Development, visited Hasa Charitable Society for the Care of Orphans and the Poor. Hassan commended the society’s role in supporting the community within educational, vocational, and social programs, including a nursery, traditional handicrafts center, and production kitchen. Hassan also announced government support for the society’s expansion efforts, including marketing its products online, expanding training courses in coordination with youth centers, and upgrading its facilities and equipment.

At Al-Harith bin Omair Mixed Elementary School, in the presence of the Minister of Education, the Prime Minister listened to teachers’ feedback and pledged several measures, aimed to establish special financing for teachers, expand housing projects for educators, enhance the roles of teachers’ clubs, and develop school facilities. Hassan also ordered construction of a new extension for the school and renovation of Al-Qadisiyah Elementary School in Busayra to address overcrowding.

In another stop, the Prime Minister, joined by the Minister of Labor, visited Jerash Garments and Fashions Manufacturing Company, which employs hundreds of Jordanian women. Hassan reviewed the company’s expansion project, which aims to double employment from 500 to 1,000 workers, reiterating government support for similar investment ventures that generate local jobs.

At Ayma Sports Club, the Prime Minister directed a study on expanding the club’s facilities, equipping it with modern tools, and conducting overall maintenance to enhance its community services. In Ma’an’s Husseiniya District, he visited the Western Comprehensive Health Center and directed provision of medical equipment and staffing with specialists in pediatrics, family medicine, and internal medicine. The PM also instructed authorities to facilitate treatment process for kidney patients traveling between Ma’an and Husseiniya.

Beirut: Lebanese Parliament Speaker, Nabih Berri, condemned attempts to tamper with Jordan’s internal affairs uncovered by Jordanian security services. Berri also stressed that Jordan, under His Majesty King Abdullah II’s leadership, is “capable” of confronting and thwarting all sabotage attempts.

According to Jordan News Agency, during his meeting with First Deputy Speaker of Jordan Lower House of Representatives, Dr. Mustafa Khasawneh, Berri emphasized the “deep-rooted, brotherly” bilateral relations. Berri praised Jordan’s support, under the King’s leadership, for Lebanon and its ongoing efforts to mobilize an international stance to halt aggression against Lebanon and consolidate the ceasefire with all its provisions to restore security and stability to its people.

Berri highlighted Jordan’s efforts towards the Gaza people, which supported the Palestinian position and made it “clear” to the world. He acknowledged that Jordan has provided “honorable” political and humanitarian support for the Palestinian cause with all its capabilities.

Khasawneh, on the other hand, remarked that Jordan and Lebanon enjoy “strong” relations, stressing His Majesty King Abdullah II’s commitment to Lebanon’s security and stability and its brotherly people. He emphasized the importance of providing international support for Beirut by leveraging his extensive international relations to serve Arab causes, including Lebanon.

Khasawneh also conveyed greetings from House Speaker Ahmad Safadi and its members during the talks, which were attended by Assistant Speaker MP Huda Naffa and the Jordanian Ambassador to Lebanon, Walid Hadid. He reiterated Jordan’s “keen” stance on halting Israeli attacks on Lebanon and implementing the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel in all its provisions.

Additionally, Khasawneh stressed the Kingdom’s “full” support for Lebanon, its security, stability, and sovereignty, and for efforts to reactivate its institutions.

Amman: Syrian President Ahmad Al-Shara met on Thursday with Minister of Foreign and Expatriate Affairs, Ayman Safadi, who delivered a message from His Majesty King Abdullah II reaffirming Jordan’s commitment to strengthening ties with Syria and supporting its stability, security, and reconstruction. President Al-Shara expressed appreciation for the King’s message, underscoring the deep-rooted relationship between the two countries and Syria’s interest in expanding cooperation with Jordan across all sectors to benefit both nations.

According to Jordan News Agency, Safadi also held extensive talks with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani, building on the outcomes of the February 26 summit between King Abdullah II and President Al-Shara in Amman. The two ministers stressed the importance of sustained coordination and agreed to implement practical steps to deepen cooperation across a wide range of fields.

In a joint statement following the meeting, the ministers highlighted the strength of the longstanding ties between Jordan and Syria and emphasized the importance of translating the shared vision of both countries’ leaderships into institutional frameworks that deliver tangible benefits to their peoples and the broader region. As part of that effort, the ministers announced the formation of a High Coordination Council that will include representatives from key sectors such as energy, health, trade, transport, agriculture, water, ICT, education, and tourism. The council is expected to convene its first session in the coming weeks.

Safadi reaffirmed Jordan’s unwavering support for Syria’s reconstruction through a Syrian-led political process that includes all segments of society and ensures the country’s unity, sovereignty, and long-term stability. He also emphasized the importance of eradicating terrorism and upholding the rights of all Syrians after years of conflict and hardship.

Al-Shibani, for his part, noted the close link between stability in Syria and Jordan, reaffirming Syria’s commitment to safeguarding Jordan’s security and enhancing cooperation on border and security issues, including joint efforts to combat terrorism, particularly the threat posed by Daesh as well as drug and arms smuggling. Safadi welcomed the Syrian government’s actions to curb drug trafficking and reiterated Jordan’s support for ongoing efforts in that regard.

The ministers also reviewed progress made since the Conference on Syria and Neighboring Countries in the Fight Against Daesh, which Jordan hosted on March 9, 2025. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the steady growth in bilateral trade and agreed to continue working to expand economic cooperation.

Safadi also condemned Israel’s ongoing attacks on Syrian territory and the continued occupation of parts of the country, calling them a clear violation of international law and the 1974 Disengagement Agreement. He warned that such actions risk further escalating tensions across the region. The ministers concluded by agreeing to maintain close coordination and accelerate communication between relevant ministries and institutions in the coming period to advance joint initiatives and deepen bilateral collaboration.

Karak: Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) have solved a cold case dating back to 2006, uncovering the murder of a woman in Karak Governorate.

According to Jordan News Agency, a spokesperson for the Public Security Directorate (PSD) reported that the Cold Case Unit within the CID’s Southern Region Division reopened the file of a woman who had been reported missing in 2011.

Investigators were able to determine that she had in fact been murdered by her two brothers in 2006. Both suspects were taken into custody and confessed to the crime, including the location where they buried the victim.

The investigation was reopened after new information emerged, suggesting that the woman’s disappearance may have involved foul play.

Detectives reviewed the original case, gathered fresh evidence, and re-interviewed people close to the victim, ultimately leading to the arrest of her brothers.

Under questioning, the suspects admitted to stabbing their sister to death following a family dispute, then burying her body in a remote area. They later filed a missing person report in 2011 in an attempt to cover up the crime.

Based on their confessions, and with approval from the Public Prosecutor, authorities located the burial site and recovered human remains. The remains were sent to the forensic lab for examination and identification.

The case has been formally referred to the Public Prosecutor at the Grand Criminal Court. The suspects have been remanded in custody at a correctional and rehabilitation center, pending trial on charges of premeditated murder in joint criminal liability.