Jordan, Cyprus Sign Bilateral Agreements

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades (R) receives Jordan's King Abdullah II at the presidential palace in the capital Nicosia on December 17, 2021 Iakovos HATZISTAVROU POOL/AFP
Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades (R) receives Jordan's King Abdullah II at the presidential palace in the capital Nicosia on December 17, 2021 Iakovos HATZISTAVROU POOL/AFP
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Jordan, Cyprus Sign Bilateral Agreements

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades (R) receives Jordan's King Abdullah II at the presidential palace in the capital Nicosia on December 17, 2021 Iakovos HATZISTAVROU POOL/AFP
Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades (R) receives Jordan's King Abdullah II at the presidential palace in the capital Nicosia on December 17, 2021 Iakovos HATZISTAVROU POOL/AFP

Jordan and Cyprus signed a number of bilateral accords on Friday, including agreements on double taxation and the extradition of fugitives.

This came during the official visit of King Abdullah II to Cyprus for talks with President Nicos Anastasiades,

Following a military guard of honor, Anastasiades and Abdullah held a private meeting and exchanged gifts.

"President Anastasiades bestowed upon the king of Jordan the highest honor of the Republic of Cyprus... and King Abdullah II bestowed upon the president the highest honor of Jordan," the presidency said.

The two leaders discussed bilateral relations and regional developments, as well as climate change and efforts to combat Covid-19.

King Abdullah was also briefed on efforts to resume United Nations-backed Cyprus reunification talks and Turkish warnings against Nicosia over oil and gas exploration in the region.

Jordan has joined a burgeoning regional alliance that includes Egypt, Greece and Israel, based on shared energy interests.



Lebanese Military Calls for Calm

A Lebanese Army patrol. (EPA)
A Lebanese Army patrol. (EPA)
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Lebanese Military Calls for Calm

A Lebanese Army patrol. (EPA)
A Lebanese Army patrol. (EPA)

In its first statement since the recent escalation with Israel and following the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Lebanon's military called for calm among the Lebanese “at this dangerous and delicate stage."
Government officials fear that the country’s deep political divisions at a time of war could rekindle sectarian strife and violence in the small Mediterranean country.
“The Israeli enemy is working to implement its destructive plans and spread division among the Lebanese,” the military said.
Military vehicles have been deployed in different parts of the capital as thousands of displaced people continue moving from the south to Beirut.
An Israeli airstrike on northeast Lebanon killed 11 people Sunday morning, a day after the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah confirmed the death of multiple commanders, including longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah.
The Israeli army says it's carrying out attacks on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, the number of those displaced by the conflict from southern Lebanon has more than doubled and now stands at more than 211,000, according to the United Nations.
Hezbollah and Israel have traded near-daily strikes since the Israel-Hama s war started after the Palestinian militant group stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, sparking fears of regional war.