Jordan Times
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Fayez, Majali meet with
Iraqi delegation
AMMAN (Petra) — Minister of Interior Eid Fayez on Tuesday said Jordan refuses to
label Iraqis in the Kingdom as refugees, but rather as brothers and guests in
the country until their ordeal ends and allows them to return home. During a
meeting with the president and members of the Iraqi parliament’s expatriates and
displaced persons committee, Fayez noted the economic burden shouldered by
Jordan due to the Iraqi influx, but added that Iraqis in Jordan are treated
well. Commending Jordan’s efforts and humanitarian assistance to Iraqis, the
head of the delegation, Abdul Khaliq Zankana, called on the government to
facilitate procedures related to the entry of Iraqis into Jordan. Also
yesterday, Lower House Speaker Abdul Hadi Majali met with the delegation and
denied that authorities had taken measures to put pressures on Iraqis entering
the country. Majali said if any measures had been taken by concerned Jordanian
authorities, they are designed to preserve the security of both Jordan and Iraq
as well as the security of Iraqis in Jordan. The speaker also affirmed that the
role of the Parliament was in line with His Majesty King Abdullah’s stance to
preserve Iraq’s unity and Arab identity.