Jordanian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ali al-Kayed stressed the importance of the aid package to support Jordan, which was pledged by Saudi Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz.
A Saudi-hosted summit held in the holy city of Makkah on Sunday pledged $2.5 billion in aid to help Jordan overcome its economic crisis. The meeting brought together Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.
Kayed told Asharq Al-Awsat that the aid will revive Jordan's faltering economy.
The aid will be provided through a deposit at the Jordanian Central Bank, guarantees for the World Bank, annual support for the Jordanian government’s budget over the next five years and financing from development funds for projects in the Kingdom.
The diplomat said the effect of the aid package will have a direct impact on Jordan’s economy and ensure its perseverance and future prosperity.
Helping Jordan overcome its crisis and mitigate the aftermath of associated economic inflation, the aid will not only be beneficial in the near term only, but also have a long-term effect.
Saudi Shura Council member Ibrahim al-Nahhas told Asharq Al-Awsat that “the Kingdom, as usual, stands with its allies in times of crisis.”
“As the leader of the Arab world and center of the Islamic world, the Kingdom is establishing the principle of collective action.”
He stressed that the Saudi leadership constantly works in the interest of Arabs and Muslims everywhere and at any given time.
Nahhas said that the Makkah summit is a true expression of the joint spirit of brotherhood among Arab and Islamic countries. It gives a direct Saudi message to the whole world on the cooperation and solidarity of Arabs and Muslims during most difficult circumstances.
“Standing with Jordan and its people sends a strong message that calls upon Jordanians to side with their leadership and support it in confronting conspiracies aimed at destabilizing their country,” said Nahhas.
