Jordan Times
Sunday, September 23, 2001
PM emphasizes support in fight against terrorism
AMMAN (Petra) — Prime Minister Ali Abul Ragheb reiterated Jordan's willingness to cooperate with and support international efforts to stem terrorism worldwide.At a meeting Saturday with the members of the Professional Associations Council, Abul Ragheb said: “Jordan...reaffirms its support of international efforts to contain terrorism in a manner that would benefit the interests of Arabs and Muslims.”
As he did in his meeting on Wednesday with the leaders of the country's 26 political parties, held in the wake of the terrorist attacks on the US, the premier called on the associations to exercise their role of serving their country and safeguarding its national interests and to assume their responsibilities in helping Jordan strengthen its stability and security at a time when the Middle East and the world at large are at a sensitive stage.
Unity among the Jordanian people under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah is a basic requirement for guaranteeing and sustaining socio-economic development, the prime minster stressed.
He reviewed the recent developments at the regional and international level in the wake of the terrorist attacks in the United States, emphasising “Jordan's condemnation of these acts which are alien to and conflicting with our Islamic religion and Arab nature.”
The premier added that “despite the fact that the world's attention was focused on the recent events in the United States, Jordan has been closely following up on the developments in the Palestinian territories.”
He said King Abdullah has focused his attention throughout on the ongoing events in the Palestinian lands.
The prime minister also stressed the Kingdom's commitment to pan-Arab causes with regard to lifting sanctions imposed on Iraq and the rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination in implementation of UN resolutions.
The council members said they will not spare any effort towards backing the King's efforts and the government's stand. They asked that the prime minister maintain the dialogue with the professional associations over local, regional and international developments.
They also requested that another meeting be arranged with the prime minister to discuss the temporary laws, particularly the law on public meetings.
On Wednesday, the prime minister had told political parties that the government would not hesitate to take measures against unproductive, extreme reactions aimed at undermining Jordan's security and stability.
He called on Jordanians to close ranks in the wake of the terrorist attacks in the United States.