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Arab World Supports King Abdullah’s Efforts to Preserve Jordan’s Security

In this photo released by the Royal Hashemite Court, Jordan's King Abdullah II gives a speech during the inauguration of the 19th Parliament’s non-ordinary session, Amman, Jordan, Dec. 10, 2020. (AP)
In this photo released by the Royal Hashemite Court, Jordan's King Abdullah II gives a speech during the inauguration of the 19th Parliament’s non-ordinary session, Amman, Jordan, Dec. 10, 2020. (AP)
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Arab World Supports King Abdullah’s Efforts to Preserve Jordan’s Security

In this photo released by the Royal Hashemite Court, Jordan's King Abdullah II gives a speech during the inauguration of the 19th Parliament’s non-ordinary session, Amman, Jordan, Dec. 10, 2020. (AP)
In this photo released by the Royal Hashemite Court, Jordan's King Abdullah II gives a speech during the inauguration of the 19th Parliament’s non-ordinary session, Amman, Jordan, Dec. 10, 2020. (AP)

The Arab world threw its support behind King Abdullah II and the measures taken to preserve Jordan’s security and stability.

King Abdullah’s half-brother and former Crown Prince Hamza bin Hussein was told to halt actions used to target the country’s “security and stability”, the military said on Saturday.

In a statement published by the state news agency, it said the action was part of a broader security investigation in which a former minister, a member of the royal family and some other unidentified individuals were detained.

Egypt voiced support for King Abdullah and his efforts “to maintain the security and stability of the kingdom against any attempts to undermine it,” its presidency spokesman wrote on Facebook.

Oman completely stands by Jordan under the leadership of King Abdullah and firmly supports anything that preserves Jordan's security, sovereignty and stability, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa affirmed full support to the decisions and measures taken by HM King Abdulla II Ibn Al Hussein of Jordan to maintain his country’s security and stability and defuse all disruptive attempts,” state news agency BNA said.

In a statement on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) website, Secretary-General Dr. Nayef al-Hajraf said the grouping “affirmed the full support of the Cooperation Council for all decisions and measures taken by His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, to preserve the security and stability of brotherly Jordan, wishing brotherly Jordan continued security and stability under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II and His Highness, the faithful Crown Prince.”

“Jordan’s security and safety is a fundamental basis for the security and safety of the Arab world,” Lebanese Prime Minister designate Saad al-Hariri said on Twitter.

“All the solidarity with the Jordanian leadership and King Abdullah in defending the gains of the Jordanian people, protecting their stability, and refusing interference in their affairs.”

Kuwait’s foreign ministry expressed its “support to all the measures taken by Jordan’s King Abdullah and his Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, to maintain the security and stability of the kingdom”, adding “The security and stability of the kingdom are that of Kuwait”.

“The Iraqi government affirms that it stands with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, in any steps taken to preserve the security and stability of the country and take care of the interests of the brotherly people of Jordan, in a way that boosts their presence, by relying on measures that aim to extend the respect of the state,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

“Qatar expressed its full solidarity with the sisterly Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and its full support to the decisions and measures issued by His Majesty King Abdullah to preserve the security, stability, and boost the process of progress and prosperity in the country,” state news agency QNA said.

“Qatar affirmed that the security and stability of Jordan is an integral part of its security and stability, and stressed that the developed strategic relations between the two brotherly countries will remain an honest and strong guard against any attempts to undermine the security and stability in the two countries and the region.”

Yemen’s legitimate government “affirms its absolute support and its complete stand with all measures aimed at preserving Jordan’s security”, state news agency Saba said.

“Yemen affirms its absolute support and totally stands with all decisions and measures taken by His Majesty King Abdullah aimed at maintaining security and ending any attempts to destabilize the sisterly Kingdom of Jordan.”

“Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that we stand by the sisterly Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the king, the government, and the people,” official Palestinian news agency WAFA said in a statement.

“We support the decisions taken by King Abdullah II to preserve Jordan’s security and ensure its stability and unity.

“We support the steps taken by King Abdullah to maintain Jordanian national security, stressing that Jordan’s security and stability is a supreme Palestinian interest.”

Morocco's King Mohammed VI held a phone call with King Abdullah on Sunday to express solidarity and support for security measures taken by Jordanian's authorities, Morocco's royal palace said on Sunday.

“The secretary-general of the Arab League expressed full solidarity with the measures taken by the Jordanian leadership to maintain the security of the kingdom and maintain the stability,” the Arab League said in a statement on its Facebook page, citing Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

“He also stressed his confidence in the leadership’s wisdom and its keenness to secure the country’s stability in parallel with the respect for the constitution and the law.

“Ahmed Aboul Gheit added that King Abdullah II has a high and appreciated position, whether among the Jordanian people or on the Arab level in general, and that everyone knows his sincerity and his great role in serving Arab causes.”

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Arab World

Iraqis Protest Over Power Cuts in Sweltering Summer Heat

Demonstrators gather as they take part in a protest over unemployment, corruption and poor public services, in Baghdad, Iraq October 2, 2019. (Reuters)
Demonstrators gather as they take part in a protest over unemployment, corruption and poor public services, in Baghdad, Iraq October 2, 2019. (Reuters)
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Iraqis Protest Over Power Cuts in Sweltering Summer Heat

Demonstrators gather as they take part in a protest over unemployment, corruption and poor public services, in Baghdad, Iraq October 2, 2019. (Reuters)
Demonstrators gather as they take part in a protest over unemployment, corruption and poor public services, in Baghdad, Iraq October 2, 2019. (Reuters)

Hundreds of residents of an eastern Iraqi city protested on Saturday against power cuts during extreme summer heat, an AFP correspondent said.

Temperatures in the city of Kut have peaked at 44C, with residents organizing protests to urge authorities to boost electricity supply.

Decades of war have left Iraq's infrastructure in a pitiful state, with power failures worsening blistering summers.

On Friday night, hundreds of protesters took to the streets with dozens hurling stones at security forces, who responded by firing tear gas and detaining more than 30 people, according to an AFP correspondent.

The clashes lasted until early morning.

Two local health officials told AFP on condition of anonymity that more than 50 police officers were injured.

It is unclear how many protesters were wounded, with one source estimating the number at around 30.

Protesters have likely avoided reporting themselves to hospital for fear of arrest, a health official said.

Demonstrations against power cuts are frequent in Iraq, especially during the scorching summer months, when temperatures often reach 50C.

In the oil-rich country, many households have just a few hours of state electricity per day, and those who can afford it use private generators to keep fridges and air conditioners running.

Iraq is the second-largest oil producer in the OPEC cartel, but despite its immense oil and gas reserves, it remains dependent on imports to meet its electricity needs.

Arab World

Egyptian Source to Asharq Al-Awsat: Cairo Hosts Egyptian-Israeli Talks to Avert Renewed Gaza War

Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a vehicle in Gaza City, July 9, 2026. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a vehicle in Gaza City, July 9, 2026. (Reuters)
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Egyptian Source to Asharq Al-Awsat: Cairo Hosts Egyptian-Israeli Talks to Avert Renewed Gaza War

Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a vehicle in Gaza City, July 9, 2026. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a vehicle in Gaza City, July 9, 2026. (Reuters)

An Egyptian source familiar with the Gaza ceasefire negotiations told Asharq Al-Awsat that Egyptian and Israeli delegations met in Cairo in recent hours as part of intensive efforts to prevent complications that could jeopardize the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

On Thursday evening, Israel’s public broadcaster reported that a delegation of senior Israeli military officers had arrived in Cairo and held talks over the previous two days with senior Egyptian military officials on advancing to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

The meeting coincided with the presence in Cairo of a Hamas delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya, which is holding talks with mediators on preserving the Gaza agreement signed in October.

The Egyptian source said a US delegation is expected to arrive in Cairo for consultations on Gaza and continued talks with Hamas in an effort to salvage mediation. The source added that there are growing indications Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may resume the war for electoral gain.

According to the source, the Cairo talks focused on proposals presented last week that Hamas had rejected. The Israeli delegation conveyed a message it had delivered to Nickolay Mladenov, the High Representative for the Board of Peace, warning that if current efforts based on revised draft proposals fail, Israel will move ahead with military operations inside Gaza.

Over the past three months, Mladenov has put forward proposals centered on disarming Gaza as a prerequisite for reconstruction. Hamas has objected, insisting that the remaining commitments of the agreement’s first phase, particularly an Israeli withdrawal, be implemented first.

Displaced Palestinian children refill water containers in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Saturday July 4, 2026. (AP)

The source said the Israeli delegation reiterated that Hamas must comply with the agreement, foremost by accepting the proposed disarmament formula.

Mediators are consulting Hamas on accepting a clear and direct text to be conveyed to Mladenov to move the process forward and avert renewed Israeli military action.

The source also warned of mounting indications that Netanyahu could opt for military escalation ahead of elections expected in the coming months, citing opinion polls showing stronger support for rivals including Gadi Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett.

The source added that Mladenov has refused to amend the current proposals and continues to insist that Hamas engage with them seriously.

According to the source, the Israeli delegation expressed its willingness to cooperate with Egypt’s “responsible efforts,” while warning that Hamas’s intransigence would inevitably lead to renewed confrontation.

The source said Egypt’s decision to host the Israeli delegation despite regional tensions reflects Cairo’s openness to all parties and its determination to bridge differences.

Egypt is engaging all sides, the source added, because of the worsening humanitarian situation and fears that renewed fighting would lead to further targeted killings of field commanders and a broader deterioration on the ground.

A US delegation may soon arrive in Cairo for further consultations.

Egypt is coordinating closely with Türkiye and Qatar to maximize pressure on the Israeli government, according to the source. Cairo also plans contacts with Washington aimed at ensuring US adherence to the existing peace framework and preventing alternative tracks or new proposals from Mladenov that could further complicate negotiations.

The source did not rule out Hamas continuing to play for time while monitoring US-Iran developments and awaiting the outcome of its internal elections, potentially delaying major decisions and leaving negotiations in limbo.

Even so, the source said Egypt is racing against time to prevent renewed Israeli military action as Israeli elections and the US midterm elections approach, warning that both could derail diplomatic efforts.

Arab World

Iraqi Judiciary Opens Door to 'Conditional Settlements' to Recover Corruption Funds

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi receives Supreme Judicial Council President Faiq Zaidan in Baghdad. (Government press office)
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi receives Supreme Judicial Council President Faiq Zaidan in Baghdad. (Government press office)
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Iraqi Judiciary Opens Door to 'Conditional Settlements' to Recover Corruption Funds

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi receives Supreme Judicial Council President Faiq Zaidan in Baghdad. (Government press office)
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi receives Supreme Judicial Council President Faiq Zaidan in Baghdad. (Government press office)

Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council announced Friday that it is coordinating with the government on legal mechanisms aimed at combining accountability for corruption with the recovery of public funds.

The proposal could allow reduced legal measures or lighter sentences for defendants who voluntarily return embezzled money under amendments to the General Amnesty Law.

Meanwhile, the recent security operation, dubbed Dawn Assault, has exposed divisions within the ruling Coordination Framework, according to political sources and public statements.

In a statement, the council said its objective is to both hold perpetrators of financial and administrative corruption accountable and recover state funds, adding that these goals could be achieved by easing legal procedures or reducing sentences “within constitutional and legal limits.”

The council noted that the approach was first adopted in the Tax Deposits case, widely known as the “Heist of the Century.” The case centers on the fraudulent withdrawal of tax deposits lodged by foreign companies with the General Commission for Taxes as guarantees for project implementation.

The funds were allegedly siphoned off through irregular procedures involving brokerage firms, including Al-Qant and Al-Mubdeoon Oil Services Company, owned by businessman Noor Zuhair, with the help of government employees.

According to the council, the head of the Supreme Judicial Council and then-Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani agreed, with the approval of the investigating judge, to release Zuhair on bail in exchange for repaying the money in installments and receiving a reduced sentence.

The arrangement led to the recovery of 365 billion Iraqi dinars (about $252 million) out of 1.618 trillion dinars (about $1.12 billion) owed by the two companies. Overall, about 3.831 trillion dinars (roughly $2.64 billion) were withdrawn from Rafidain Bank through multiple companies.

According to the council, Zuhair later left Iraq, bringing repayments to a halt. He was subsequently tried in absentia, sentenced to 10 years in prison, and became the subject of extradition proceedings through Arab and international police channels.

Following amendments to the General Amnesty Law, Zuhair’s lawyer requested that his client be covered by the legislation in exchange for repaying the remaining funds. The court sought the Finance Ministry’s opinion, as the injured party, on the proposed repayment mechanism but has yet to receive a response, leaving the request pending.

The council added that 12 employees of the General Commission for Taxes have been sentenced to prison for facilitating the withdrawals and may qualify under the amended amnesty law after paying compensation determined by the Finance Ministry.

An photo released by the Iraqi judiciary shows cash seized inside boxes and bags marked with the Iraqi Central Bank's seal.

It also noted that an investigation into former Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, whose government was in office when the crime occurred, was closed for lack of evidence.

The same approach could also be applied in the North Refineries Company case involving detained suspect Adnan al-Jumaili and several current and former lawmakers, provided the alleged offenses predated the amended amnesty law and the outstanding funds are repaid.

Crimes committed after the law took effect are not eligible for amnesty.

The judiciary is now coordinating with Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on a constitutional and legal “roadmap” aimed at recovering public funds while easing legal measures against those who voluntarily return them.

Separately, the June 28 Dawn Assault operation inside Baghdad’s Green Zone, which resulted in the arrest of dozens of corruption suspects, triggered criticism within the Coordination Framework.

An informed source told Asharq Al-Awsat that several alliance leaders were caught off guard by the operation and the deployment of tanks and armored vehicles, raising concerns that military force could be used more broadly in the future.

The source added that al-Zaidi defended the measures during his first meeting with Coordination Framework leaders after the operation, arguing that the armored deployment was necessary to seal off the Green Zone while the arrests were carried out.

The source also said several lawmakers managed to leave the Green Zone minutes before the operation began, some of them affiliated with armed factions.

The absence of any response from those groups during the operation further heightened concerns among some Coordination Framework leaders.

Legal expert Jamal al-Asadi told Asharq Al-Awsat that Iraqi law has no provision allowing financial settlements in corruption cases or other criminal offenses.

He noted, however, that the amended General Amnesty Law includes specific provisions covering those convicted of embezzlement or squandering public funds, subject to prescribed legal conditions.

In televised remarks, leading member of the Coordination Framework Amer al-Fayez said all alliance leaders except former PM al-Sudani criticized the government for failing to notify them in advance of the operation.

While backing efforts to pursue corruption suspects, he objected to the use of tanks during the arrests, arguing that although the prime minister was under no obligation to disclose operational details, the Coordination Framework, as “the state’s highest governing authority,” should have been informed.