Coronavirus Crisis May Lead to Resignation of Jordanian Ministers

The streets of the Jordanian capital are seen empty after the start of a nationwide curfew, amid concerns over the coronavirus spread, in Amman, Jordan, March 21, 2020. (Reuters)
The streets of the Jordanian capital are seen empty after the start of a nationwide curfew, amid concerns over the coronavirus spread, in Amman, Jordan, March 21, 2020. (Reuters)
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Coronavirus Crisis May Lead to Resignation of Jordanian Ministers

The streets of the Jordanian capital are seen empty after the start of a nationwide curfew, amid concerns over the coronavirus spread, in Amman, Jordan, March 21, 2020. (Reuters)
The streets of the Jordanian capital are seen empty after the start of a nationwide curfew, amid concerns over the coronavirus spread, in Amman, Jordan, March 21, 2020. (Reuters)

Reports have circulated in Jordan in the past two days that the coronavirus crisis may prompt the resignation of some ministers, who were widely criticized for their mismanagement of the outbreak in the country.

Agriculture Minister Ibrahim Shehadeh was the first to resign days ago over “administrative mistakes committed in some agricultural directorates.”

Official sources did not reveal to Asharq Al-Awsat the reasons behind the expected resignations and whether they will be accompanied by a cabinet reshuffle.

It is still yet unclear whether Prime Minister Omar Razzaz will assign ministers from his government to carry out the duties of the three ministers observers said will most likely resign.

In other news, after about a month since the closure of schools as a precaution over the coronavirus outbreak, parents have been demanding to know the fate of the academic year.

Education Ministry spokesman Walid al-Jallad said remote teaching is still active on local television and private channels that were launched for this purpose.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that official exams will be held for high school students in early July as scheduled, noting that distance learning is enough to complete the school curriculum in June.

Jallad, however, warned that the aggravation of the health crisis could still affect these plans.

Jordan has reported 345 virus cases and five deaths.



UNIFIL Urges Timely Israeli Pullout from South Lebanon under Month-Old Truce Deal

Armored vehicles of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) patrol in the town of Khiam in southern Lebanon on December 23, 2024, under a delicate ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah. (AFP)
Armored vehicles of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) patrol in the town of Khiam in southern Lebanon on December 23, 2024, under a delicate ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah. (AFP)
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UNIFIL Urges Timely Israeli Pullout from South Lebanon under Month-Old Truce Deal

Armored vehicles of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) patrol in the town of Khiam in southern Lebanon on December 23, 2024, under a delicate ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah. (AFP)
Armored vehicles of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) patrol in the town of Khiam in southern Lebanon on December 23, 2024, under a delicate ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah. (AFP)

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) called on Thursday for a timely Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon, citing what it called Israeli violations of a Nov. 27 ceasefire agreement with Iran-backed Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a US-brokered 60-day ceasefire that calls for a phased Israeli military pullout after more than a year of war, in keeping with a 2006 UN Security Council resolution that ended their last major conflict.

Under the agreement, Hezbollah fighters must leave positions in south Lebanon and move north of the Litani River, which runs about 20 miles (30 km) north of the border with Israel, along with a full Israeli withdrawal from the south.

In a statement, UNIFIL voiced concern over what it said was continued destruction by Israeli forces of residential areas, farmland and infrastructure in south Lebanon, deeming this a violation of UN Resolution 1701.

"UNIFIL continues to urge the timely withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces and the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces (in place of Hezbollah) in southern Lebanon, alongside the full implementation of Resolution 1701 as a comprehensive path toward peace," the statement said.

The Israeli military said it was looking into UNIFIL's criticism and declined further comment for the time being.

Under the terms of its truce with Hezbollah, Israeli forces can take up to 60 days to withdraw from south Lebanon but neither side can launch offensive operations.

Lebanon's army said it was following up with UNIFIL and the committee supervising the agreement regarding what it said was a deepened incursion of Israeli forces into some areas of southern Lebanese areas.

UNIFIL reiterated readiness to monitor the area south of the Litani River to ensure it remains free of armed personnel and weapons, except those of Lebanon's government and UNIFIL.

The ceasefire marked the end of the deadliest confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah since their six-week war in 2006. However, Israel has continued military operations against Palestinian fighters in Gaza.