Jordan: Razzaz Receives Green Light to Fight Corruption

Jordanian Prime Minister Omar al-Razzaz in Amman, Jordan. April 10, 2018. Muhammad Hamed / Reuters
Jordanian Prime Minister Omar al-Razzaz in Amman, Jordan. April 10, 2018. Muhammad Hamed / Reuters
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Jordan: Razzaz Receives Green Light to Fight Corruption

Jordanian Prime Minister Omar al-Razzaz in Amman, Jordan. April 10, 2018. Muhammad Hamed / Reuters
Jordanian Prime Minister Omar al-Razzaz in Amman, Jordan. April 10, 2018. Muhammad Hamed / Reuters

Prime Minister Omar Razzaz announced he has received a green light from King Abdullah II to fight corruption regardless of the status of those involved.

In a telephone interview with the local news website, Saraya news, Razzaz reportedly said that since his appointment by King Abdullah, he has had a “green light” and free hand to combat graft.

Razzaz said that the government would give priority to the fight against corruption, stressing “it is not fair to increase taxes on citizens before handling corruption.”

Regarding the tobacco case, the premier said, “this time no mediation will be accepted”.

He stressed that the security services and customs are doing their best, and that in the past two days, successful raids have been made in that regard.

Commending cooperation in the case, Razzaz said that “people have been contacting the government not for mediation but to provide information”.

"I realize that things are not easy, but we want to open corruption files to investigate and bring the corrupt to justice so that citizens feel that we are serious and that no one is immune,” Razzaz stressed.

On the other hand, the Jordanian premier hailed the great efforts made by the Public Security Department (PSD) to protect citizens and their properties.

“Thanks to them, Jordan has been referred to as an oasis of security on a global level,” he said.

During his visit to the PSD's headquarters and meeting with its Director General, Maj. Gen. Fadel al-Hamoud, and senior officers on Sunday, in the presence of Interior Minister Samir Mubaidain, Razzaz said “the security situation we have been witnessing is the result of strenuous efforts exerted by the armed forces, public security and security apparatuses.”

He stressed the importance of strengthening the rule of law.

On efforts to combat drug trafficking, the Prime Minister praised the PSD and highlighted the importance of coordinating public security endeavors with the Ministries of Education, Higher Education and Social Development to combat the drug phenomenon and its destructive effects on society, and human health, mind and productivity.



Lebanon Military Says One Soldier Killed, 18 Hurt in Israeli Strike on Army Center

Lebanese army soldiers and people stand at the site of an Israeli strike in the town of Baaloul, in the western Bekaa Valley, Lebanon October 19, 2024. REUTERS/Maher Abou Taleb
Lebanese army soldiers and people stand at the site of an Israeli strike in the town of Baaloul, in the western Bekaa Valley, Lebanon October 19, 2024. REUTERS/Maher Abou Taleb
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Lebanon Military Says One Soldier Killed, 18 Hurt in Israeli Strike on Army Center

Lebanese army soldiers and people stand at the site of an Israeli strike in the town of Baaloul, in the western Bekaa Valley, Lebanon October 19, 2024. REUTERS/Maher Abou Taleb
Lebanese army soldiers and people stand at the site of an Israeli strike in the town of Baaloul, in the western Bekaa Valley, Lebanon October 19, 2024. REUTERS/Maher Abou Taleb

At least one soldier was killed and 18 others injured, some seriously, after an Israeli attack targeted an army center in the town of Al-Amiriya on the Al-Qalila-Tyre road in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese army said on Sunday.
The attack caused severe damage to the facility, the army added in a post on X.
The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the incident.
Israeli attacks have killed more than 3,500 people in Lebanon, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. The fighting, that escalated in September, has displaced about 1.2 million people, or a quarter of Lebanon’s population. On the Israeli side, about 90 soldiers and nearly 50 civilians have been killed by bombardment in northern Israel and the fighting.
The escalation comes after U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein traveled to the region in pursuit of a deal to end months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah that has erupted into full-on war.