King Abdullah reviews current affairs with retired officers

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday met with ex-servicemen to discuss key issues in both a domestic and regional context, a source close to the meeting told The Jordan Times. 

During the meeting — which was held at the residence of retired Maj. Gen. Mohammad Rasoul Amayreh in Balqa Governorate, 35km northwest of Amman — the veterans praised the content of the King’s recent interview with the London-based Al Hayat newspaper. 

They also commended His Majesty’s speech at the 25th Arab Summit in Kuwait, saying that the interview and the address outlined the fundamentals of Jordan’s foreign policy. 

The retired officers also expressed their approval of Royal directives to the government to prepare a 10-year blueprint for Jordan’s economy, which were previously outlined in a letter sent to Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour earlier this week. 

They noted that this envisioned plan would require concerted national efforts to successfully institutionalise its goals, which would then “be reflected positively on the lives of citizens”.

The King praised the significant role both present and future military personnel play in the service and protection of the state. 

He stressed the importance of maintaining communication and partnership with the Economic and Social Association of Retired Servicemen and Veterans in order to better serve a segment of society that is “near and dear to the nation’s heart”. 

On the local level, the King called for strengthening the role of the Governorates Development Fund in order “to support projects generating opportunities for the sons and daughters of the nation”.

He also spoke on regional matters concerning Jordan, reiterating the importance “of finding a political solution to the Syrian crisis”. 

With regards to the Palestinian issue, His Majesty pointed out that Jordan continues to support Palestine in its efforts to achieve a two-state solution. 

The off-the-record talks are part of continued efforts by the King to maintain channels of dialogue with key actors in local communities and sectors.