King listens to Parliament’s replies to Speech from the Throne

By Raed Omari and Petra

AMMAN – His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday listened to Parliament’s replies to Speech from the Throne, which he delivered on November 28 at the opening of the first ordinary session of the 16th Parliament, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

In their separate replies, the two Houses of Parliament vowed to exert “relentless efforts” to achieve the sought-after comprehensive development and reform process in cooperation with the government.

They also promised to work “transparently” to create a modern elections law that can serve the political reform process and meet the expectations of Jordanians, according to Petra.

In their replies, members of the two chambers also stressed the importance of enhancing the role of the political parties and civil society organisations, giving attention to the youths and women’s sectors.

Enhancing the independence of the judiciary, protecting public freedoms and the press, developing human resources and achieving financial and monetary stability were also highlighted in the replies as key national goals the legislature will seek to realise.

In addition, they voiced appreciation for the efforts of His Majesty to defend the rights of the Palestinians and help them establish their independent state on their national soil with East Jerusalem as its capital.

They also underlined the Monarch’s support for efforts to achieve peace, stability and national concord in Iraq.

Delivering the Senate’s reply, the chamber’s president, Taher Masri, said that the Upper House “will cooperate with the government and the Lower House to achieve political reform”, adding that lawmakers should start a thorough discussion of the temporary Elections Law, according to Petra.

Masri also indicated that the Senate will be committed to enhancing the professional, independent and impartial work of the media, saying that “justice, equal opportunity and boosting the middle class will be among the top priorities of the Senate”.

For his part, House Speaker Faisal Fayez said that the Lower House will work to establish a partnership with the government that is based on cooperation and coordination to serve the national interests and achieve the development process.

Fayez stressed the importance of supporting the education sector as it constitutes a major pillar of the country’s development process, adding that this sector is “in dire need of comprehensive revision” that leads to upgrading the living standards of the teachers.

Several Royal family members, Prime Minister Samir Rifai and other senior officials attended the ceremony yesterday.

Also on Wednesday, the Lower House held a session in which it completed the elections of its permanent committees.

The legislators elected members of the Labour and Social Development Committee, Energy and Mineral Resources Committee, Public Freedoms Committee, Tourism Committee, Palestine Committee and Rural and Badia Committee. According to the House bylaws, the members of each of the 14 committees will pick the panels’ presidents.

jordantimes