PM meets Islamic movement leaders

Prime Minister Awn Khasawneh on Thursday met with leaders of the Islamic movement as part of the government’s efforts to hold dialogue with various civil society institutions and political spectra on the comprehensive reform march in the Kingdom. The meeting was attended by Secretary General of the Islamic Action Front (IAF) Hamzah Mansour, Head of the IAF’s political Department Zaki Bani Irsheid, Head of the Political Department at the Muslim Brotherhood Irhayel Gharaybeh and Media Spokesman of the Muslim Brotherhood Jamil Abu Bakir. The meeting, which was also attended by Minister of Interior Mohammad Raoud, Energy and Mineral Resources Qutaybeh Abu Qura and State Minister for media Affairs and Communication and the Government’s Spokesperson Rakan Majali, was frank and positive. The prime minister spoke of the critical and historic stage that Jordan is passing through, affirming the government’s commitment to the reform process as well as its determination to accelerate these reforms. He said that keeping marches that call for reforms peaceful, is a top priority that should be preserved by all. The government, the premier said is also committed to preserving the freedom of expression, adding that it will not allow any Jordanian to assault another due to differences in points of views. The prime minister also spoke of economic hardships facing the Kingdom, stressing the need for concerted efforts and for investing economic opportunities to overcome these challenges. The state minister for media affairs and communications said in a press statement that the meeting which touched on the government’s relations with the Islamic movement was frank and clear. Majali hailed the role of the Islamic movement which he said was positive, adding that the government will hold a meeting tomorrow with the National Dialogue Committee as well as with a number of parties’ leaders.