MAHFOUD: MICHEL MOAWAD ENJOYS STATURE OF A STATESMAN WHOSE ACCESSION TO PRESIDENCY WOULD HAVE GIVEN IMPETUS TO ACTUAL REFORM

Head of the “Change Movement”, Attorney Elie Mahfoud, considered that “MP Michel Moawad enjoys the stature of a statesman, and his accession to the presidency would have given impetus to actual reform.” In an issued statement this evening following the announcement of MP Moawad’s withdrawal from the presidential race, Mahfoud said: ‘The candidacy of MP Michel Moawad, as well as his withdrawal, denote a milestone in political life, as he undoubtedly enjoys the stature of a statesman, and having such a model reach the presidency of the republic would have given impetus to actual reform.” He added: ‘Every new name they seek to market must reveal to the public opinion his project and the headlines of the six years of his mandate.”

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

IHAB HAMADEH: WE WILL ALWAYS BE ADVOCATES OF DIALOGUE & UNDERSTANDING, WE WILL REACH THE GOAL OF HAVING A PRESIDENT FOR THE REPUBLIC

Member of the “Loyalty to the Resistance” parliamentary bloc, MP Ihab Hamadeh, called on all parties in Lebanon to demonstrate understanding and dialogue in the upcoming events, including the election of a president for the Republic of all Lebanon and the Lebanese, as stipulated in the constitution, and not affiliated with one particular sect. He stressed during a political gathering organized by the Lebanese Brigades in resistance of Israeli occupation in the town of Al-Qaa in the northern Bekaa, that there are many entitlements that the country witnessed which we managed to accomplish, as Lebanese, through understanding and convergence. Hamadeh assured that his bloc will always be advocates of dialogue and understanding, far-reaching the goal of having a president for the republic. He called for giving priority to Lebanon and the lives of the Lebanese “through our unity and concerted efforts so that we can advance the country,” emphasizing that no one will be able to take Lebanon to a place against their will. “When we restore life to Lebanon through regular work and betting on our strength, our ability, the ever-creative Lebanese, and our wealth in land and sea, which we were able to fortify through the trio of army, people, and resistance, we can invest all of that for the sake of the Lebanese and their decent living.”

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

RAHI: IF POLITICAL OFFICIALS HAD INVOKED GOD ACCORDING TO THEIR RANKS, THEY WOULD HAVE ELECTED A PRESIDENT

Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Beshara Boutros Al-Rahi, presided this morning over Sunday Mass in the Church of Our Lady in Bkirki. In his homily, the Patriarch criticized the Lebanese officials for failing to elect a president for the republic until now. He considered that if Lebanese officials had invoked the presence of God, each in their rank and position, they would have succeeded in electing a president. “Our politicians are called to this pious practice that puts them in the presence of God, so they practice their political work as an art to serve the common good, from which the good of every citizen comes…Invoking God, before their deeds, words, and stances, removes them from their selfishness and personal interests, makes them prevail over differences, and adorns them with morality and sense of duty,” the Patriarch said. He added: “If they invoked God today, eight months after the presidential vacancy, and in the face of the complete collapse politically, economically, financially, and socially, they would rush towards understanding and agreeing to elect a president that Lebanon direly needs under the current circumstances.” Al-Rahi deemed that every step in this direction is very much blessed, away from the notion of victory and defeat between individuals or between the components of the same country. “This is a matter that leads to a serious rift in the life of the country, while what is required is the unity of Lebanon and its people and their goodness,” he said. Finally, the Patriarch called for praying to God Almighty “to place all those responsible before His presence, so that they act according to His will.”

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Student in Irbid suffers snakebite, receives treatment

A student at a private school in the Qumim village in the northern city of Ibrid on Sunday was bitten by a snake, an official said. In a statement, Hamza Najadat, director of an education directorate in Irbid, said that first aid was administered to the student and then he was taken to the Qumim Health Center for treatment, where he was listed in fair condition. “An investigation is underway in the accident” Najadat added, noting that the school has been evacuated to verify that it is free of any snakes. “Contacts were made with the Directorate of Agriculture and the municipality to spray anti-snake pesticides,” he indicated.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Agreement to utilize iris recognition technology in government services

The Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship has signed a strategic partnership agreement with IrisGuard, an international supplier of end-to-end iris recognition biometric technology, aiming to utilize iris recognition technology in government and private sector services. According to a statement by the ministry on Sunday, this partnership represents a significant leap forward in the services provided to citizens and residents, reinforcing the digital transformation journey, with Jordan recognized as one of the pioneering countries in implementing innovative iris recognition technologies in government services. The services offered by IrisGuard under this partnership include the activation of digital identity cards (SANAD) at all Jordanian post offices and the Kingdom’s embassies abroad. Additionally, the agreement encompasses providing services related to property, real estate, and vehicle ownership through iris recognition technology. The agreement’s implementation is expected to commence in phases in the coming weeks, with future expansions to include additional government sectors, such as the electronic gateway for travelers and healthcare services. Moreover, a package of services will be extended to the private sector and residents of the Kingdom. During the signing ceremony, Minister of Digital Economy Ahmed Hanandeh highlighted the agreement being a crucial step in developing government services in Jordan, advancing the digital sector, and enhancing modern technology as a driver for economic development. “It reflects the comprehensive vision of His Majesty King Abdullah for administrative and economic reforms, and represents a qualitative leap in leveraging advanced iris recognition technologies for the benefit of citizens and residents,” he added. In response, Imad Malhas, the CEO of IrisGuard, expressed eagerness to create a more advanced and efficient environment by relying on digital technology, and contribute to the realization of Jordan’s leading vision in the digital economy.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Prince Mired, EU Ambassador discuss social protection for people with disabilities

Prince Mired bin Ra’ad, the Secretary-General of the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD), has held a meeting with Maria Hadjitheodosiou, the Ambassador of the European Union to Jordan, to discuss social protection for people with disabilities. During the meeting, Prince Mired expressed HCD’s profound gratitude for the invaluable support provided by the European Union in bolstering and fortifying the social protection framework for individuals with disabilities in the Kingdom. He underscored that the issue of social protection for persons with disabilities is of paramount importance to the HCD, as it directly impacts the promotion of their independent living through the development of inclusive day services. Furthermore, Prince Mired commended Ambassador Hadjitheodosiou for her instrumental efforts in supporting the joint institutional framework governing the social protection sector. He also highlighted the pivotal role played by the Ministry of Social Development in coordinating the implementation of the National Social Protection Strategy, and its contributions to supporting healthcare insurance and economic empowerment for beneficiaries of the National Aid Fund, in collaboration with the Ministries of Health and Labor. He further recognized the ministry’s commitment to facilitating the transition from a residential care system to an integrated day services model for individuals with disabilities. In response, Ambassador Hadjitheodosiou expressed her admiration for the Council’s key role in providing technical support to various institutions, enabling them to effectively fulfill their responsibilities in the field of disability. She also commended the Council’s tireless efforts in raising awareness about the rights of persons with disabilities and promoting their seamless integration into society. Prince Mired presented Ambassador Hadjitheodosiou with the Council’s esteemed shield, as a gesture of appreciation for her outstanding contributions to the advancement and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities.

Source: Jordan News Agency