Jordan Asks US to Deploy Patriot Air Defense Systems

Jordan asked the US to deploy Patriot air defense systems to bolster its border defense during heightened regional tensions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Jordan asked the US to deploy Patriot air defense systems to bolster its border defense during heightened regional tensions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Jordan Asks US to Deploy Patriot Air Defense Systems

Jordan asked the US to deploy Patriot air defense systems to bolster its border defense during heightened regional tensions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Jordan asked the US to deploy Patriot air defense systems to bolster its border defense during heightened regional tensions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Jordan asked the US to deploy Patriot air defense systems to bolster its border defense during heightened regional tensions and conflict, the spokesperson for the country's army said.

Jordan's army spokesperson Brigadier General Mustafa Hiyari told state television that the kingdom asked the US to help boost the defense system and provide more aid to tackle drones.

"The drones have become a threat on all our fronts," Hiyari said.

Earlier, a Jordanian military source denied reports that the US was using its Jordan bases to supply Tel Aviv with ammunition and transport some of the equipment from its depots to bolster Israel's defenses in its war in Gaza, as reported by the Arab News Agency.

The Jordanian News Agency quoted a source at the General Command of the Armed Forces dismissing allegations circulating on social media that the Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) bases have been used by US aircraft to supply the Israeli army with equipment and ammunition.

The source asserted that spreading and circulating such "rumors" aim to undermine Jordan's position on the Palestinian cause and damage the reputation of the armed forces.

The source pointed out that the Armed Forces Field Hospital is still receiving casualties from Gaza despite all the challenges and difficulties.

He asserted that the Royal Jordanian Air Force remains committed to delivering humanitarian and relief aid to the Palestinians in Gaza.



World Bank Looking to Free up Emergency Funds for Lebanon, Managing Director Says

 A plume of smoke billows following an Israeli air strike on the village of Khiam in southern Lebanon near the border with Israel on October 7, 2024. (AFP)
A plume of smoke billows following an Israeli air strike on the village of Khiam in southern Lebanon near the border with Israel on October 7, 2024. (AFP)
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World Bank Looking to Free up Emergency Funds for Lebanon, Managing Director Says

 A plume of smoke billows following an Israeli air strike on the village of Khiam in southern Lebanon near the border with Israel on October 7, 2024. (AFP)
A plume of smoke billows following an Israeli air strike on the village of Khiam in southern Lebanon near the border with Israel on October 7, 2024. (AFP)

The World Bank is looking to free up emergency funds for Lebanon, potentially including up to $100 million through the use of special clauses in existing loan deals, its managing director of operations told Reuters.

The Washington-based development lender currently has $1.65 billion in loans to the country including a $250 million loan approved this week to help connect dispersed renewable energy projects in the country.

Amid fighting across southern Lebanon, the bank was currently discussing ways in which it could help support the economy, including through the use of so-called Contingent Emergency Response Component (CERCs) clauses.

"We can use our existing portfolio and free up some money for really critical, short-term liquidity needs," Anna Bjerde said.

CERCs are present in around 600 of the bank's existing projects, globally, and allow it to redirect funds that have yet to be disbursed, if requested to by a government, for example after a health or natural disaster, or during conflict.

Lebanon has yet to make such a request, Bjerde said.

After a year of exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israel mostly limited to the frontier region, the conflict has significantly escalated in Lebanon.

Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel's third largest city Haifa on Monday, while Israeli forces looked poised to expand ground raids into south Lebanon on the first anniversary of the Gaza war, which has spread conflict across the Middle East.

Lebanon's government could choose to use an existing social protection program that was put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic that allows for financial support to be sent to individuals, Bjerde said.

"It has the benefit of being totally digital so you can reach people, plus it can be verified a bit... so we will also probably use that to top up the social safety net for those that are particularly affected."

Up to 1 million people have been internally displaced in the country, she added: "So it's important we focus on that".

Lebanon's finance ministry and economy ministry did not immediately respond when asked for comment.