Day: April 14, 2026

Ankara: Deputy Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament, Khamis Atieh, held separate meetings with senior Emirati and Bahraini parliamentary leaders on Tuesday ahead of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) conference in Turkiye.

According to Jordan News Agency, discussions with Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the UAE Federal National Council, and Ahmed bin Salman Al-Musallam, Speaker of the Bahraini Council of Representatives, focused on the urgent need for a unified Arab position to support regional de-escalation. Atieh underscored Jordan’s firm rejection of any military aggression that infringes upon the sovereignty of Arab nations.

The meetings, attended by MPs Huda Naffa, Nour Abu Ghosh, Hayel Obeidat, and Mahasen Al-Jaghoub, aimed at coordinating Arab efforts at international forums. Atieh emphasized the importance of supporting the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and intensifying joint parliamentary action to address challenges facing the Arab world.

During the session with the UAE’s Ghobash, both sides explored ways to expand bilateral parliamentary consultation. Ghobash praised Jordan’s persistent efforts to achieve a just and comprehensive regional peace, noting the alignment between Amman and Abu Dhabi in advocating for peaceful solutions governed by international law.

In his talks with Bahrain’s Al-Musallam, Atieh discussed mechanisms for enhancing legislative cooperation. Al-Musallam highlighted the compatibility of Jordanian and Bahraini views on regional stability and the necessity of prioritizing political dialogue over military escalation.

The delegates agreed that continuous consultation is vital to ensuring that Arab interests are effectively represented during the upcoming IPU general assembly and other global parliamentary platforms.

Amman: The Arab Potash Company (APC) is moving forward with an integrated industrial transformation strategy aimed at maximizing the value of Jordan’s mineral wealth and strengthening the kingdom’s economic security, the company’s chief executive said on Tuesday. CEO Maen Nsour outlined the strategy during a visit by participants of the National Defense Course (23/2026) from the Royal National Defense College to the company’s plants in Ghor Al Safi. The delegation, led by the college commandant and senior faculty, reviewed APC’s role in supporting the industrial sector and its contribution to the national economy.

According to Jordan News Agency, in a lecture titled “Industrial Policy and its Role in National Development: Insights from the Arab Potash Company Experience,” Nsour highlighted the company’s shift from traditional production to becoming an integrated industrial conglomerate focused on high-value downstream industries. Nsour revealed that APC achieved a historic production record in 2025, reaching approximately 2.9 million tonnes of potash, a growth of more than 21%. He reported that consolidated net revenues hit JD726 million ($1.02 billion), with consolidated net profits reaching nearly JD173 million ($244 million), demonstrating robust operational and financial health.

The company has successfully expanded its global footprint by developing new potash products and penetrating markets in Europe, Brazil, and several Asian countries. Nsour stated that these efforts have positioned Jordan as a critical link in global fertilizer supply chains, supporting international food security. Under its strategic vision through 2034, APC aims to increase production capacity to 3.7 million tonnes. The plan involves diversifying the company’s portfolio into specialized, high-value chemicals and mineral derivatives.

To support this growth, the company has earmarked approximately $3.4 billion for capital investment projects. These investments are designed to upgrade production systems and expand chemical manufacturing, aligning with the objectives of the Economic Modernization Vision. The Commandant of the Royal National Defense College praised APC as a cornerstone of the national economy. He noted that the company’s success in transforming natural resources into a globally competitive industrial force serves as a vital model for building a resilient and sustainable national economy.

Following the briefing, the delegation toured the production facilities to observe the modern operational technologies used to manufacture specialized products for international export.

Gaza city: Four Palestinians, including a child, were killed and several others wounded after Israeli warplanes targeted a car on Tunnel Street in central Gaza City, according to the Civil Defence in the Gaza Strip. In a separate incident, another child was killed by Israeli fire in the Halawa refugee camp in Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip.

According to Jordan News Agency, the incidents have heightened tensions in the region, which has seen recurring hostilities. The targeting of civilians, particularly children, has drawn international attention and concern over the ongoing conflict and its impact on Gaza’s population.

The Civil Defence in the Gaza Strip reported that rescue operations were underway following the attacks, as emergency services worked to manage the aftermath and provide assistance to the wounded. The situation remains volatile, with calls for restraint and dialogue from various quarters to prevent further escalation.

Beirut: Stability will not return to southern Lebanon as long as Israel continues to occupy Lebanese territory, President Joseph Aoun said on Tuesday, insisting that the national military must be the sole authority responsible for security along the frontier.

According to Jordan News Agency, during a meeting with General Luciano Portolano, Chief of Defense of Staff of the Italian Armed Forces, Aoun emphasized that a sustainable solution requires the Lebanese Army to redeploy up to the internationally recognized borders. He stated that the military must serve as the “only entity responsible for the security of the region and the safety of its residents, without partnership from any other party.”

The President’s remarks come as Lebanon prepares for the scheduled withdrawal of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) at the end of 2027.

Aoun welcomed Italy’s expressed desire to maintain units of its forces in southern Lebanon beyond the UNIFIL mandate. He noted that a specific legal framework would need to be negotiated to govern the presence of Italian troops and other international contingents that have pledged continued support to the Lebanese Army in maintaining regional stability.

The meeting highlights Lebanon’s ongoing efforts to secure international military assistance and training as it seeks to assert full state authority over its southern territories following decades of cross-border conflict.

Washington: A coalition of 17 nations, including the United Kingdom and France, called on Israel and Lebanon on Tuesday to capitalize on direct peace negotiations opening in Washington to secure a permanent end to decades of hostilities.

According to Jordan News Agency, the joint statement, signed by foreign ministers from Australia, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden alongside London and Paris, was released as high-level discussions began at the U.S. State Department.

The talks mark the first direct diplomatic engagement between the two neighbors in over 30 years. Facilitated by the United States, the session was attended by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter, Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad, and the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa.

The signatory nations welcomed the initiative taken by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to enter direct negotiations, describing it as a critical step toward restoring regional stability and Lebanese state sovereignty.

However, the 17-nation group also used the statement to “condemn in the strongest terms” a massive wave of Israeli strikes on Lebanon conducted on April 8. According to data shared by Lebanese authorities, those attacks resulted in the deaths of more than 350 people and left over 1,000 others wounded.

Diplomats expressed hope that the Washington talks could transform a fragile cessation of hostilities into a formal peace framework. The negotiations are expected to address long-standing security arrangements and the status of armed groups in Lebanon, with Secretary Rubio describing the meeting as a “historic opportunity” to break the cycle of violence.