Day: May 26, 2023

Japan and the UAE signed an agreement in Abu Dhabi on Saturday to transfer defense equipment and technology. This marks the first time such an agreement with a country in the Middle East region has been made, the Foreign Ministry said in Tokyo. Isomata Akio, Ambassador of Japan to UAE and Dr. Mubarak Saeed Ghafan Al Jabri, Major General Staff of Assistant Undersecretary for Support and Defense Industries of the Ministry of Defense of the United Arab Emirates, signed the accord. The accord establishes a legal framework for both governments to hand defense equipment and technology to be transferred for joint research, development and production and for enhancing cooperation in security and defense. The ministry said the agreement will enter into force after the completion of the necessary procedures between the governments of the two countries. The ministry said this accord ensures appropriate control over the defense equipment and technology transfer, especially regarding any subsequent transfer to a third party or any extra-purpose use. ‘It is expected that this agreement will contribute to closer bilateral defense equipment and technology cooperation and maintaining and improving the production and technological bases for Japan’s defense industry, thereby contributing to the security of Japan,’ according to the ministry.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Lebanese Forces party leader, Samir Geagea, on Friday welcomed at his Maarab residence Australian Ambassador, to Lebanon, Andrew Barnes, with whom he discussed local and regional developments. For his part, the LF chief stressed that the deterioration of the economic situation in Lebanon entailed statesmen and institutions who were able to approve the required reforms, starting with the assistance of the International Monetary Fund. ‘This plan must be accompanied by a radical change in the way the state is managed, otherwise the current mentality of those in charge is capable of squandering the public treasury funds, as it did within the last years of the crisis,’ Geagea explained. Moreover, Geagea deemed the presidency file ‘blocked’. ‘It is necessary to reopen the doors of Parliament and to hold an electoral session as soon as possible,’ he added. Furthermore, Geagea thanked Ambassador Barnes for “Australia’s efforts to follow up on the Beirut port blast investigation file”, reiterating that “breaking the impasse at this level cannot be achieved but through an international and independent inquiry commission; therefore, friendly countries must guarantee their support to the Lebanese people in this area.’

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee in Jordan’s Lower House Friday condemned the attack and vandalism of the Jordanian ambassador’s residence in Sudan’s Khartoum. In a statement, the Committee noted the need to uphold the rules of international law and relevant international conventions, especially the Vienna Convention, following an attack on the Jordanian ambassador’s residence in troubled Khartoum. The envoy and his family were not present in their house at the time of the attack. The President of the Committee, MP Khaldoun Hina, denounced “all forms” of violence and vandalism, especially those attacks against diplomats and diplomatic missions.

Source: Jordan News Agency

His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday attended the ceremony held at Raghadan Palace to mark Jordan’s 77th Independence Day, also attended by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II. During the ceremony, the heads of the authorities delivered speeches expressing deep pride in Jordan and the importance of this occasion, which reaffirms Jordanians’ pride in their homeland, and their determination to continue towards further progress under its Hashemite leadership, according to a royal court statement. They expressed pride in the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army and security agencies for safeguarding the nation’s achievements, commending Jordan’s unwavering position, led by His Majesty, in defence of just Arab causes, especially the Palestinian cause and Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, under the Hashemite Custodianship. They noted Jordan’s ongoing modernisation efforts across the political, economic, and administrative tracks, as the state moves forward into its second centennial. Royal family members, senior officials and officers, members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives of political parties, civil society organisations, and professional associations attended the ceremony.

Source: Jordan News Agency

His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday bestowed Royal medals on a number of distinguished Jordanian institutions and individuals, in appreciation of their services for the country and its people. According to a royal court statement, the ceremony, held at Raghadan Palace to mark Jordan’s 77th Independence Day, was attended by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, as well as a number of Royal family members and senior officials and officers. It celebrated the achievements of Jordanians in education, tourism, sports, charity, community service, literature, media, judicial reform, as well as interfaith dialogue and countering extremism.

Source: Jordan News Agency