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.



Israeli Forces Surround Lebanon’s Khiam Ahead of Storming it

Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of al-Khiam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of al-Khiam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
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Israeli Forces Surround Lebanon’s Khiam Ahead of Storming it

Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of al-Khiam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of al-Khiam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)

Israeli forces have blocked supply routes to the southern Lebanese border city of al-Khiam ahead of storming it.

They have also surrounded the strategic city with Hezbollah fighters still inside, launching artillery and air attacks against them.

Hezbollah fighters have been holding out in Khiam for 25 days. The capture of the city would be significant and allow Israeli forces easier passage into southern Lebanon.

Field sources said Israeli forces have already entered some neighborhoods of Khiam from its eastern and southern outskirts, expanding their incursion into its northern and eastern sectors to fully capture the city.

They cast doubt on claims that the city has been fully captured, saying fighting is still taking place deeper inside its streets and alleys, citing the ongoing artillery fire and drone and air raids.

Israel has already cut off Hezbollah’s supply routes by seizing control of Bourj al-Mamlouk, Tall al-Nahas and olive groves in al-Qlaa in the Marayoun region. Its forces have also fanned out to the west towards the Litani River.

The troops have set up a “line of fire” spanning at least seven kms around Khiam to deter anti-tank attacks from Hezbollah and to launch artillery, drone and aerial attacks, said the sources.

The intense pressure has forced Hezbollah to resort to suicide drone attacks against Israeli forces.

Hezbollah’s al-Manar television said Israeli forces tried to carry out a new incursion towards Khiam’s northern neighborhoods.

Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that since Friday night, Israeli forces have been using “all forms of weapons in their attempt to capture Khiam, which Israel views as a strategic gateway through which it can make rapid ground advances.”

It reported an increase in air and artillery attacks in the past two days as the forces try to storm the city.

The troops are trying to advance on Khiam by first surrounding it from all sides under air cover, it continued.

They are also booby-trapping some homes and buildings and then destroying them, similar to what they have done in other southern towns, such as Adeisseh, Yaround, Aitaroun and Mais al-Jabal.

Khiam holds symbolic significance to the Lebanese people because it was the first city liberated following Israel’s implementation of United Nations Security Council 425 on May 25, 2000, that led to its withdrawal from the South in a day that Hezbollah has since declared Liberation Day.