Army chief says border closure ‘to protect national security’

AMMAN — King’s Military Adviser and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Gen. Mashal Al Zaben on Tuesday said the security of the Kingdom and its people is a red-line and the top priority, reiterating that the northeastern and northern border areas are sealed off military zones and that no one will be allowed to cross them. 

Zaben made the remarks at a meeting with the UN World Food Programme Executive Director Ertharin Cousin, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

Zaben and Cousin discussed the challenges Jordan is facing due to the Syrian crisis and the conditions of refugees near the northeastern borders of the Kingdom. 

Zaben said that the issue of Syrian refugees is a global problem that requires more efforts by the international community to deal with it in a way that protects the security of neighbouring countries, according to Petra. 

On June 21, Jordan declared the northern and northeastern border areas sealed military zones after a terrorist attack targeted a forward military post that served Syrian refugees on the northeastern front. 

The attack by a booby-trapped car resulted in the death and injury of several troops. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh also met on Tuesday with Cousin, Petra reported. 

They discussed cooperation between Jordan and the organisation, and ways to support the Kingdom in hosting and helping refugees. 

They also discussed the situation on the border.