‘Jordan Will Not be a Battlefield For Anyone…’ – Ayman Safadi

Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Wednesday, called for immediate and effective international action to halt the dangerous escalation pushing the region toward an all-out war.

He emphasized the necessity of achieving an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon and ending Israel’s escalatory measures in the occupied West Bank.

In a telephone conversation with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Safadi stressed no one has an interest in driving the region into a full-scale war that would threaten regional and international security and peace.

He underscored that halting this escalation must be a regional and international priority.

Safadi stated that de-escalation begins with stopping Israeli aggression on Gaza and Lebanon, warning of the catastrophic consequences of expanding the Israeli war to Lebanon and launching a ground offensive, which would impact the security of the entire region.

He affirmed during the call that Jordan will not be a battlefield for anyone and will confront with all its capabilities any threat to its security, stability, and the safety of its citizens.

He noted that Jordan has clearly communicated this position to both Iran and Israel.

Safadi highlighted the importance of supporting the initiative of Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, which aligns with the proposal put forward by U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron.

The initiative confirms Lebanon’s commitment to deploying its army in the south, implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701, and initiating the process of electing a Lebanese president once a ceasefire is achieved.

He reaffirmed Jordan’s absolute support for Lebanon, its security, sovereignty, and the safety of its citizens, stressing the need to launch an international campaign to provide humanitarian aid to Lebanon, which is facing the challenge of meeting the needs of more than one million displaced persons forced from their homes.

Safadi confirmed that Jordan, under the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah II, has begun sending aid to Lebanon and is ready to cooperate with all countries in delivering their assistance.

He warned of the consequences of the continued Israeli aggression on Gaza and the worsening humanitarian catastrophe it is causing, stressing the need to pressure Israel to comply with international law, allow sufficient and immediate aid into Gaza, and enable UN and humanitarian organizations to distribute it to all those in need.

Safadi and Lammy discussed regional and international efforts aimed at ending the escalation and affirmed continued cooperation in efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon and protect the region from sliding into a comprehensive war.

They also followed up on the discussions that His Majesty King Abdullah II and British Labour Party Leader Keir Starmer had during a phone call Tuesday, according to the Jordan news agency, Petra.

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Jordan Polls: Will Islamists Dominate Politics Now?

Islamist made a huge win in Jordan’s  20th parliamentary elections, registering a never-before number of seats the Kingdom’s bicameral legislature.

The Kingdom’s Independent Election Commission (IEC), chairman Musa Maaytah, announced that the Islamic Action Front, which is the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan, won a massive 31 seats to the Lower House in the latest parliamentary elections held, Tuesday, including four women.

The party is elated to have so many members in a reformed Lower whose total seats today stands at 138 including 18 quota seats allocated to women and who won nine extra seats outside the quota hiking up their total 27.

“We thank our great Jordanian people who gave us this precious trust with nearly half a million electoral votes for the national list, in addition to the local lists. In this context, we affirm that the first winner today is the homeland and the advanced results we have achieved will enhance the strength, resilience and stability of our state. The supreme national interests have always been in our sights and are the focus of our attention,” an IAF party statement emphasized.

“We affirm our firm approach in seeking to serve our people, defend their causes, bear the concerns of its citizens, strive to achieve their hopes, and remain steadfast in our choice to support the Palestinian resistance, which constitutes the first line of defense for Jordan in the face of Zionist ambitions and displacement and alternative homeland plans,” it tolds Quds Press.

The current parliamentary elections were held under a new electoral law, which increased the number of members of the House from 130 to 138, 41 of whom were allocated to political parties.

The elected Lower House is part of Jordan’s bicameral parliament that includes a Senate of 69 members appointed by King Abdullah. Parliament can withdraw confidence from the government, pass laws, and issue legislation.

105 party members

This is the first elections in Jordan to be fought along party lines. Maaytah said the 105 party members won seats in this elections according to the Jordan Times. He added their win represents 75 percents of the total seats.

He added that Al Mithaq Party won 21 seats, Irada Party 19 seats and the Taqadum Party clenched eight seats.  

According to the IEC the overall voter turn out was 32.25 percent with 1,638,348 million out of an eligible electorates of 5,115,219, who cast their votes in the elections.

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Arab Leaders Condemn Attempt on Trump’s Life

Arab countries on Sunday condemned the attempt to assassinate former US President Donald Trump while speaking at a campaign rally in the state of Pennsylvania.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it “expresses its condemnation and denunciation of the attempt on the life of former US President Donald Trump and its complete solidarity with the US, the former President, and his family, and affirms its rejection of all forms of violence,” according to Anadolu.

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI expressed his solidarity with Trump on Sunday, according to the official Moroccan news agency.

Mohammed said he was “deeply moved and saddened by the horrific assassination attempt that took place at an election rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.”

He strongly condemned political violence and wished Trump “a speedy recovery so that he can continue to serve his nation.”

King Abdullah II of Jordan said of the assassination attempt on X: “Deeply shocked and outraged by the heinous attempt on former US President Donald Trump’s life during a political rally. Jordan condemns this vicious attack and all kinds of political violence.”

Trump was shot in the right ear but is fine, with the FBI issuing a statement identifying Thomas Matthew Crooks as the suspected shooter.

The Secret Service, which handles security for past and current presidents, said the shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position from outside the venue. In addition to the shooter, one spectator is dead and two others were critically injured.

​​​​​​​The incident occurred just days before Trump is to be nominated as the Republican Party candidate for the 2024 presidential election, the Turkish news agency concluded.

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