‘Across-the-board’ measures will be taken to end festive firing

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday said that the issue of festive firing will be seriously dealt with and measures will be taken to end this phenomenon. 

Stressing that no one is above the law, the King said: "Even if it were my son who is shooting…I would ask security bodies to take the same measures against him".

The King noted he saw the video that went viral online few days ago showing a child killed by mistake while a man was reloading his gun at a wedding reception, stressing that this must not be allowed to happen.

"From now on, we will take all measures against anyone who uses arms at occasions and celebrations and we will not allow festive firing to kill another child." 

Security bodies in the different governorates should see to this, he said, pointing out that it is a red line for him.  

Receiving Amman dignitaries, leading figures and military veterans at the Royal Court, the King said: "I am very proud of this meeting where I meet today with many of my friends," pointing out that he has served with many of the ex-servicemen in the Special Forces. 

The meeting came in line with the King's ongoing efforts to maintain contact with Jordanians in the various governorates, according to a Royal Court statement. 

On other domestic issues, the King said: “I have always been saying that economic and social challenges are a priority, especially combating poverty and unemployment, and today, we are considering ways to work with the government to improve these conditions, attract investments to the country and increase job opportunities for citizens.”

“I will visit China next week to pave the way for investments in different projects,” the Monarch added. 

The King said challenges lie in the services sector, transport, traffic, environment, medical services and pressures on schools, pointing out that the Royal Court supports both the RMS and schools.

The King noted that there is need to focus on east Amman and the development of the Madouna area through coordination between the government and the armed forces. 

“I am optimistic and I have all confidence in the armed forces and security bodies,” the King reiterated, requesting MPs to assist the government in providing conditions conducive for drawing investments to provide jobs for citizens.

The King thanked the Parliament for completing the decentralisation bill, pointing out that there is still a lot of political work ahead of the next elections. 

His Majesty stressed his support for all Jordanians, noting that he will hopefully visit the various areas in east Amman and different parts of the Kingdom.

Regarding the political scene, King Abdullah said Jordan’s relations with Arab countries are very strong, pointing out that there is strong coordination with Arab leaders regarding the situation in Syria and Iraq. 

Highlighting his recent visit to Russia, he said the Russian leadership expressed readiness to help arrive at a political solution for the Syrian crisis, and “hopefully a settlement will be reached as soon as possible.”

Despite the political developments in the two neighbouring countries, the issues on the ground still need more time to be addressed, the King told the attendees. 

As for Jordan, he said: “It is eventually our duty to protect our borders and our people,” the King noted. 

At the meeting, Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh noted in his remarks that the King directed the Royal Court to implement several initiatives to build schools and help the government solve the problem of the two shifts that some schools have to apply due to the increasing number of students, especially with the influx of refugees from Syria. 

The King ordered that two King Abdullah Schools for Distinction be built in east and southern Amman in Qweismeh and Sahab, Tarawneh said. 

To support vocational education and meet the needs of the labour market, the King also ordered that a second school building for Prince Zeid Bin Shaker School be constructed, in addition to setting up a vocational school in Naour and a centre for persons with disabilities in Sahab.

Furthermore, Tarawneh said the King’s directives included the establishment of seven new public parks and developing the existing ones, especially in the areas of Qweismeh, Abu Alanda, Ras Al Ain, Yarmouk, Tareq, Marka and Al Hashemi Al Shamali, in coordination with the Greater Amman Municipality.   

In remarks at the meeting, King’s Military Adviser and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Gen. Mashal Al Zaben said His Majesty, the Supreme Commander of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army, issued directives on setting up a new building for the army’s headquarters in Naour and on establishing army housing units and a school complex to serve the families of army servicemen in east Amman.