Jordanian king directs government to activate ministry of defense

His Majesty King Abdullah II Wednesday directed the government to activate the role of the Ministry of Defense, as a national institution, for the advancement of political, economic, legal and logistic missions for national defense.
In a letter to Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour, the king called on the government to move towards "a new phase of reforms based on the principles of transparency and promotion of popular participation to add to the last three years' qualitative reform achievements".
The King also asked the government to transfer the non-military logistics, administrative, investment and development missions of the Armed Forces to the Ministry of Defense to enable the Jordan Arab Army devote itself to its military and professional duties The King also directed the government to give the Independent Elections Commission a larger role in overseeing future elections, including municipal polls.
His Majesty reiterated confidence in the government's ability to crystallize and pursue a clear vision towards the implementation of these reforms.