(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency) His Majesty King Abdullah II said Jordan will not allow the Khawarij and terrorists, who are close to the Kingdom's borders, to undermine the strong Jordanian national unity and emphasized that he was following up on attempts by some individuals to sow discord in the Jordanian society over the past period.
He stressed that Jordanians are well aware of such attempts, which they will counter, and said the strong national unity and feeling is what distinguishes Jordan from other countries of the world.
"I have a duty to defend all Jordanians from the north to the south and from the east to west, Christians and Muslims, and all guests of the country, regardless of their origins and affiliations," His Majesty said while addressing a group of community leaders, tribal elders and officials in the northern governorate of Irbid.
The King spoke about a host of national issues and concerns as well as developments in region. He made it clear that poverty and unemployment remain the Kingdom's main challenges, which were further exacerbated by the Syrian refugees crisis.
He said that the northern region is the most impacted by the massive influx of Syrian refugees whose number stands now at 1.4 million comprising 20 per cent of the Kingdom's population. "We know that there is tremendous pressure in the north, and that projects implemented by the government are not enough, but we hope that assistance eases these pressures....We meet today to plan priorities and unleash a strong start of 2016," His Majesty added.
King Abdulla emphasized that the world is required to extend additional support to Jordan, noting that last year's foreign assistance covered only 24 per cent of the Kingdom's needs and 35 per cent this year while remaining is being paid by the government.
He told the meeting that he will contact European leaders and will visit the United Nations next week to tell the world that extending thanks and appreciation for Jordan is not enough as the Kingdom hosts now about 1.4 million Syrian refugees and that requires additional support and assistance from the international community.
Speaking about his recent visits to China and South Korea, His Majesty said the tour opened wider scopes of economic cooperation with the Asian nations, adding that this issue needs follow-up by the government and the parliament to lure in more investments.
With regards to the latest developments in occupied Jerusalem, the King said authorities have been closely following up on this issue and "we will continue to do so in the next few days, and then we will decide our options and take the required actions." "We are fully aware of what is happening on the ground...We have a sacred duty toward Jerusalem and ready to take all measures to guarantee our right as Muslims and on behalf of Christians as well," King Abdullah said.
Speaking on Syria, the King said the Syrian crisis needs a serious political solution but this will not be achieved anytime soon.
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