Jordanian riot police disperse pro-Palestinian protesters trying to reach border with Israeli-occupied West Bank Pic credits @AlghadNews
Jordan had concerns about the potential for an expanded regional conflict stemming from the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, as a significant portion of its population is of Palestinian descent…reports Asian Lite News
The Jordanian riot police used force to disperse a large group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators who were attempting to access a border area adjacent to the West Bank, which is under Israeli occupation, Daily Mail reported.
Thousands held anti-Israel demonstrations across the country. Jordan was worried a regional widening of violence arising from the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza could have repercussions for itself given that a large percentage of its population are Palestinians, Daily Mail reported.
Jordanian riot police disperse pro-Palestinian protesters trying to reach border with Israeli-occupied West Bank Pic credits @AlghadNewsJordanian riot police disperse pro-Palestinian protesters trying to reach border with Israeli-occupied West Bank Pic credits @AlghadNewsJordanian riot police disperse pro-Palestinian protesters trying to reach border with Israeli-occupied West Bank Pic credits @AlghadNewsJordanian riot police disperse pro-Palestinian protesters trying to reach border with Israeli-occupied West Bank Pic credits @AlghadNewsJordanian riot police disperse pro-Palestinian protesters trying to reach border with Israeli-occupied West Bank Pic credits @AlghadNewsJordanian riot police disperse pro-Palestinian protesters trying to reach border with Israeli-occupied West Bank Pic credits @AlghadNewsJordanian riot police disperse pro-Palestinian protesters trying to reach border with Israeli-occupied West Bank Pic credits @AlghadNewsJordanian riot police disperse pro-Palestinian protesters trying to reach border with Israeli-occupied West Bank Pic credits @AlghadNewsJordanian riot police disperse pro-Palestinian protesters trying to reach border with Israeli-occupied West Bank Pic credits @AlghadNewsJordanian riot police disperse pro-Palestinian protesters trying to reach border with Israeli-occupied West Bank Pic credits @AlghadNews
Jordan lost the West Bank including East Jerusalem to Israel in the 1967 Middle East war. The Palestinian territory was seeing a rise in violence between Palestinians and the Israeli military and settlers even before the Gaza conflict erupted.
Witnesses today said police fired tear gas to halt about 500 demonstrators who had reached a highway security checkpoint outside the capital Amman, Daily Mail reported. The highway leads to a main border crossing into the West Bank.
The interior ministry had issued a ban against holding anti-Israel marches in the sensitive border area, but said other licensed protests would be allowed.
The outpouring of Arab anger against Israel over its siege and bombardment of Gaza retaliating for a devastating cross-border Hamas attack also fuelled a large rally on Friday in downtown Amman, Daily Mail reported.
Besides visiting Israel, Blinken is also scheduled to travel to Jordan where he will meet senior officials…reports Asian Lite News
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is scheduled to arrive in Israel on Thursday, will meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday in Jordan, according to a top Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) official.
Hussein Al-Sheikh, secretary general of the executive committee of the PLO, confirmed the meeting in a post on X, in which he also said that Abbas will meet Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Amman on Thursday.
The meeting with the Jordanian monarch is “part of the effort exerted around the clock by the Palestinian leadership to stop this devastating war, and within the framework of the joint effort between Jordan and Palestine”, Al-Sheikh added.
Besides visiting Israel, Blinken is also scheduled to travel to Jordan where he will meet senior officials.
This will be the first visit by a top official of US President Joe Biden’s administration to Israel since the October 7 Hamas attack.
In a post on X late Tuesday night, Blinken said: “Tomorrow, I will leave for Israel to engage with our Israeli partners directly about the situation on the ground and to discuss ways we can continue to support them in the fight against these terrorist attacks.
“Our support for Israel remains unwavering.”
According to the State Department, Blinken “will also discuss measures to bolster Israel’s security and underscore the United States’ unwavering support for Israel’s right to defend itself”.
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council member states, and the GCC Secretary General Jasem Albudaiwi met in New York on Monday…reports Asian Lite News
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi voiced their countries’ willingness to improve bilateral relations, according to a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
The two top diplomats held a meeting on Saturday in New York on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, where they also discussed the regional issues of common interests, Xinhua news agency reported.
Amir-Abdollahian reviewed his “good” meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Amman last December, which was also attended by Safadi, as well as the two countries’ good cooperation in different areas, expressing Iran’s readiness to improve bilateral relations and collaborations.
The Iranian Foreign Minister expressed hope that the Tehran-Amman ties would improve in line with the two nations’ interests in view of the present positive regional atmosphere and the growing trend of the relations between Iran and the Muslim Arab states.
For his part, the Jordanian Foreign Minister expressed his country’s willingness to have “good and brotherly” relations with Iran and open a new chapter in the bilateral ties.
“We have numerous common challenges in the region and need to cooperate with one another to overcome them,” he said, adding efforts are needed to enable the bilateral relations to reflect the two nations’ “historical and brotherly ties”.
Amirabdollahian expressed hope that given the positive regional climate & the trend of relations between 🇮🇷 & Arab & Islamic countries in the region, #Iran–#Jordan ties will flourish accordingly to serve the interests of both nations. pic.twitter.com/4uj51dwNNj
Earlier, the US and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) welcomed diplomatic engagement by Saudi Arabia and other GCC states with Iran to pursue regional de-escalation and emphasized the importance of adherence to international law, including the UN Charter, by states of the region.
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council member states, and the GCC Secretary General Jasem Albudaiwi met in New York on Monday.
They celebrated the strategic importance of the historic ties among the countries, as per a joint statement following the ministerial meeting of the United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) released by the US Department of State.
During the meeting, the Ministers underscored shared commitment to build upon the achievements of previous ministerial meetings, including the most recent ministerial meeting in Riyadh on June 7, 2023, to strengthen consultation, coordination, and cooperation in all fields.
They reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring freedom of navigation and maritime security in the region and their illegal determination to deter actions at sea or elsewhere that might threaten shipping lanes, international trade, and oil installations in the GCC states.
The Ministers underscored their support for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and renewed their call for Iran to fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
They once again called on Iran to cease its proliferation of unmanned aerial vehicles and other dangerous weapons that pose a grave security threat to the region, as per the release by the US State Department.
The GCC and the United States reiterated their commitment to work together to deter and address threats to sovereignty and territorial integrity and other destabilizing activities.
Safadi and Grandi also talked about the “dangerous repercussions” of the decline in international support for the Syrian refugees and their host countries to continue to provide living, medical and educational services to the refugees…reports Asian Lite News
Jordan has stressed the need for the international community to take practical and immediate steps to create necessary circumstances for the voluntary return of Syrian refugees.
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi made the remarks at a meeting with UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi in Amman, where he called on relevant UN agencies to take such steps, the Jordanian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday in a statement.
The future of Syrian refugees is in their own country, not in Jordan, said Safadi, adding that offering decent living conditions for them is indispensable, Xinhua news agency reported.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed the outcomes of the recent talks held by the kingdom and UNHCR with the Syrian government on offering required guarantees and establishing essential infrastructure for the refugees’ return.
Safadi and Grandi also talked about the “dangerous repercussions” of the decline in international support for the Syrian refugees and their host countries to continue to provide living, medical and educational services to the refugees.
Safadi said that Jordan has exceeded its ability to host Syrian refugees, and would not be able to maintain the level of services without international support.
Grandi praised Jordan’s significant humanitarian role in hosting refugees and providing them with a decent living.
They also discussed the preparation for the 2023 Global Refugee Forum which will be hosted by Switzerland and UNHCR in Geneva in December.
On Tuesday, King Abdullah II of Jordan met with Grandi in Amman to discuss the need for the international community to shoulder its responsibilities toward host countries of refugees, said a royal court statement.
President H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received a red-carpet welcome in Amman by His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein of Jordan…reports Asian Lite News
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein of Jordan to review bilateral ties and explore opportunities to further strengthen the longstanding partnership between the two nations.
The two leaders also discussed a number of regional and international developments.
The meeting took place at Basman Palace in Amman during the UAE President’s official visit to Jordan.
His Highness was welcomed by King Abdullah, who expressed his confidence that the visit will help to reinforce the strong bilateral relations and lead to further collaboration in numerous fields.
The two sides discussed various aspects of UAE-Jordan cooperation and opportunities to build on the deep, historic ties between both nations. Their talks explored ways to expand and strengthen cooperation across key strategic sectors, with a particular emphasis on economic partnerships, investment and development opportunities, and other key areas aimed at fostering sustainable development and prosperity in both countries.
His Highness and King Abdullah exchanged views on a number of regional and international developments, and stated their shared belief in the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts. Both sides underscored a shared commitment to promoting peace and supporting all efforts aimed at ensuring stability for the people of the region and the world.
During the meeting, His Highness affirmed that the UAE and Jordan share a common vision to achieve sustainable development, stability, and economic prosperity for their people and for the region as a whole.
Following the meeting, a luncheon was hosted in honour of the visit of His Highness.
The meeting and lunch were attended by a delegation including His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court; H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi; H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation; H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs at the Ministry of the Presidential Court; Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan, UAE Ambassador to Jordan; Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; and Humaid Obaid Khalifa Obaid Abu Shabas, President of the Supreme Audit Institution.
Attending from the Jordanian side was a delegation including His Royal Highness Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II, Crown Prince of Jordan; Dr. Bishr Al Khasawneh, Prime Minister of Jordan; Ayman Al Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates; Dr. Jaafar Hassan, Director of His Majesty King Abdullah’s Office; and Nassar Ibrahim Al Habashneh, Ambassador of Jordan to the UAE.
Sheikh Khalifa Residential City
His Majesty King Abdullah has officially inaugurated the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Residential City in Zarqa, Jordan. The city comprises 1,032 apartments dedicated to officers, non-commissioned officers, and members of the Jordanian Armed Forces – the Arab Army.
Built on a 288-dunam plot within the Jordanian Armed Forces’ designated lands, the city was made possible through a grant from the United Arab Emirates.
Accompanied by Major General Yousef Ahmed Al-Hunaiti, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, King Abdullah received a comprehensive overview of the project. The development encompasses 99 buildings with apartments of varying sizes, all designed according to the latest engineering and technical standards.
During the visit, King Abdullah took a tour of several apartments and explored the various facilities in the city, such as the mosque, commercial stores, and recreational areas, including children’s playgrounds covering a total area of 14 dunams.
Situated just 20 kilometres away from the capital, Amman, the residential city offers convenient access to essential services, the Hashemite University, and the Zarqa-Mafraq road.
The opening ceremony witnessed the presence of Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan, UAE Ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and Major General Pilot Sheikh Ahmed bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Deputy Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces, along with several distinguished officers from the armed forces of both nations.
One key feature of Qawn is its integration with CliQ, the national payment switch in Jordan, enabling businesses to accept payments at a reduced cost…reports Asian Lite News
Jordan Ahli Bank proudly announces the launch of Qawn, Jordan’s first-of-its-kind social payment app, revolutionizing the way users send and receive money through built-in chat capabilities. Now available for download on Android and iPhone devices, Qawn caters to both individual users and merchants, offering a wide range of innovative financial services.
One key feature of Qawn is its integration with CliQ, the national payment switch in Jordan, enabling businesses to accept payments at a reduced cost. The app also empowers Jordanians to open a bank account remotely without the need to visit a branch, with a streamlined onboarding process that takes only five minutes to complete.
Nidal Khalifeh, Chief Innovation Officer at Jordan Ahli Bank, elaborated on Qawn’s vision: “Our aim is to help people prosper by creating a social financial experience that addresses real-life problems with cutting-edge technology. Money is inherently social, and we want to reinvent digital money with a social aspect. Our app is designed to be secure, user-friendly, and to offer guidance with a focus on technology.”
Qawn’s user-centric approach allows individuals to send and receive money, request payments through chat, or use QR (Quick Response) scan for hassle-free financial management. With support for both Arabic and English languages, Qawn is accessible to a diverse user base.
Dr. Ahmad Alhussien, CEO of Jordan ahli Bank, added, “We are committed to enhancing our users’ financial experiences and wealth by guiding them towards prosperity and growth. Our brand strategy revolves around honesty, transparency, and addressing real-life issues by actively listening to our users.”
Qawn also caters to businesses of all sizes, offering seamless integration with CliQ to accept payments and manage finances effectively. Business users can easily download the app on any device and complete the onboarding process in a matter of minutes.
Saad Mouasher, the Chairman of Jordan ahli Bank, announced: “Our bank was recognized by Fortune Magazine as one of the top 50 companies that are changing the world in 2020, thanks to our shared prosperity model. This model reflects our Qawn vision, which aims to help people thrive and grow. We use the term ‘people’ instead of ‘clients’ to emphasize our inclusive and holistic approach. Qawn will be a platform that creates value and opportunities for everyone.”
Prime Minister-designate Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani (R, front) and his cabinet members are sworn in at the Iraqi parliament in Baghdad, Iraq, on Oct. 27, 2022. (Iraqi Parliament/Handout via Xinhua/IANS)
The Iraqi Prime Minister stressed that drugs “pose a significant threat to our youth and undermine the social fabric of our societies…reports Asian Lite News
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani and visiting Jordanian Interior Minister Mazen Faraya have agreed to promote bilateral security cooperation, especially in the field of drug control.
During their meeting held in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, the two sides discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations and security cooperation, facilitate the entry of citizens between the two countries, confront terrorism, and combat drug trafficking, said al-Sudani’s media office’s press statement on Sunday.
The Iraqi Prime Minister stressed that drugs “pose a significant threat to our youth and undermine the social fabric of our societies,” calling for close coordination between Iraq and Jordan to combat the growing challenge of drug trafficking, Xinhua news agency reported.
For his part, Faraya expressed his country’s determination to collaborate with Iraq across various security sectors, with a primary focus on combating drug trafficking through joint efforts and cooperation.
On May 9, al-Sudani vowed to fight a “war on drugs” at the opening ceremony of the first Baghdad International Conference on Drug Control, emphasising that it is no less important than the fight against terrorism.
Illicit drug trafficking in and through Iraq has been increasing since the 2003 US-led invasion. In recent years, drugs are mostly sold and distributed in poor areas in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad and the southern part of the country, prompting the Iraqi authorities to adopt rigorous measures to curb the spread of drugs.
Foreign ministers of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt and Syria attend a consultative meeting on Syria in Amman, Jordan, on May 1, 2023. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua/IANS)
The Ministers stressed the priority of ending the Syrian crisis through a political solution that preserves Syria’s unity, cohesion and sovereignty.
Foreign ministers of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt and Syria met to discuss a political solution to Syria’s humanitarian, security and political crises.
After a consultative meeting in Jordan’s capital Amman, the Ministers stressed the priority of ending the Syrian crisis through a political solution that preserves Syria’s unity, cohesion and sovereignty, reports Xinhua news agency.
The political solution, they said, should contribute to the voluntary and safe return of refugees, the departure of illegal foreign forces from Syria, and the restoration of the country’s security and stability, according to a statement issued by Jordan’s Foreign Ministry.
A series of meetings will be held to follow up on talks aimed at resolving the Syrian crisis, in line with the UN Security Council Resolution 2254, the Ministry said.
The top diplomats also agreed to intensify work with the international community and the UN to accelerate the implementation of early-recovery projects, including providing improved infrastructure and decent living conditions to refugees who expect to return.
They also agreed to support Syria in its legitimate control over territories, imposing the rule of law, ending the presence of armed and terrorist groups, and stopping foreign interventions in the country’s internal affairs.
Since the conflict erupted in March 2011, Syria has witnessed unprecedented devastation and displacement.
More than 6 million Syrians have fled the country and 6.7 million are internally displaced, according to the UN.
With more than 14 million people continuing to be in need of assistance, the conflict has caused untold suffering for Syrian men, women and children.
The two sides reviewed existing areas of cooperation and collaboration that support the ongoing progress and prosperity of both countries and their people….reports Asian Lite News
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today received His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein of Jordan, who is visiting the UAE accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II, the Crown Prince of Jordan.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed welcomed the Jordanian King and the Crown Prince at Al Bateen Palace in Abu Dhabi, where they discussed the close, historic ties between the UAE and Jordan, and expressed their shared interest in further strengthening these bonds.
The two sides reviewed existing areas of cooperation and collaboration that support the ongoing progress and prosperity of both countries and their people.
They also exchanged greetings and best wishes on the occasion of the approaching Eid al-Fitr, praying to God to bestow health, happiness, stability and prosperity on the people of the UAE and Jordan.
Following their meeting, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed held an Iftar banquet in honour of His Majesty King Abdullah II.
The meeting and Iftar were attended by H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council; H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region; H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region; H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation; H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Zayed Al Nahyan; H.H. Sheikh Khalid bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination (ZHO); and a number of Sheikhs, officials and citizens.
They were also attended by the delegation accompanying His Majesty King Abdullah, which includes Dr. Bisher Al Khasawneh, Jordanian Prime Minister; Dr. Ayman Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Nassar Habashneh, Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the UAE; and a number of Jordanian officials.
His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein and his accompanying delegation had arrived earlier in the day at Al Bateen Airport in Abu Dhabi, where they were greeted by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.
H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan; H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; and H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, also greeted the Jordanian King upon his arrival.
Oprah Winfrey visits site in Jordan where Jesus was baptised
One picture saw Oprah pouting at the camera as she stood next to a sleepy camel. She rocked khaki trousers, a green scarf and a warm coat…reports Asian Lite News
Popular talk show host and personality Oprah Winfrey and her friend Gayle King visited the site of Jesus’ baptism in Jordan.
The iconic talk show host, 69, shared a series of pictures from her lovely holiday with her 22 million followers on Sunday, reports mirror.co.uk.
In one image, Winfrey looked delighted posing in front of an archaeological site as she enjoyed a camel ride in Petra.
Another had her and King smiling as they took a picture by the Siq (narrow passage) that leads to Petra.
She captioned the post: “Visited Jordan this week and there was so much to see and experience!”
“We visited the site where John the Baptist baptised Jesus, Petra and all its fascinations, camels, and the spot where the big boulder comes rolling out of Indiana Jones. So much history there in the ‘Rose City’, voted one of the 7 new wonders of the world.”
“It takes 3 days to really see it all we only spent 3 hours. Put it on your must see list if you haven’t already!”
One picture saw Oprah pouting at the camera as she stood next to a sleepy camel. She rocked khaki trousers, a green scarf and a warm coat.
Oprah Winfrey visits site in Jordan where Jesus was baptised
At one point, the two kept warm in gorgeous brown coats (called a furwa) as they relaxed in the sunny desert.
Winfrey’s trip comes after she said she thinks Prince Harry and Meghan Markle should attend King Charles’ Coronation.
