King attends 1st Constitution review panel meeting

AMMAN (JT) – His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday received the president and members of the Royal committee tasked with revisiting the Constitution, which held its first meeting at the Royal Court yesterday.

During the meeting, the King expressed his confidence in the abilities of the committee’s president and members to propose amendments to the Constitution that serve the aspired political reforms in the Kingdom, according to a Royal Court statement.

The Monarch also underscored his keenness on supporting the democratic process and building up a new Jordan to finally reach a stage of political action where national achievements are protected and the values of freedom, justice, equality, tolerance and respect of human rights are safeguarded, the statement said.

Present at the meeting were Royal Court Chief Khaled Karaki and the King’s media adviser, Amjad Adaileh.

Last week, the King ordered the formation of a Royal committee, headed by former premier and Senate president Ahmad Lozi, tasked with revisiting the Constitution.

The King, in a letter sent to Lozi, said the general framework of the panel’s mission is to do whatever is necessary to improve political life in the Kingdom within the context of the Constitution.

The letter said the panel is to take into consideration all recommendations to be made by the National Dialogue Committee on constitutional amendments related to the elections and political parties laws.

Also yesterday, Lozi sent a reply letter to the Monarch in which he pledged that the committee will do whatever necessary to realise the aspirations and ambitions of Jordanians in development and modernisation.

“The committee, honoured to shoulder this responsibility during this critical stage and fully aware of the necessity of bringing about change to address the new challenges facing the Kingdom and the entire world, will work on pushing the reform and modernisation process ahead to make Jordan a model of stability and development.”

He pledged the panel will exert its utmost efforts to accomplish its mission.

The recently formed National Dialogue Committee is also expected to suggest constitutional changes related to the elections and political parties law. Lozi’s team is directed to take these recommendations into account when they finalise their report.

jordantimes