Jordan- Leadership, unity guarantees of stability: tribal leaders

(MENAFN- Jordan Times) Northern Badia tribal leaders on Wednesday stressed that Jordan's unity under His Majesty King Abdullah's leadership is a red line that must be protected for the Kingdom to sail safely through the current turbulent phase. King Abdullah on Wednesday paid a visit to the Northern Badia region, during which he met with members of the Bani Khaled, Fawa'reh, Shammar, Enezah, Zbeid, Sarhan, Naeem and Berri tribes, a Royal Court statement said. The tribal leaders delivered addresses welcoming the King and pledging allegiance to the Hashemite Throne, according to a Royal Court statement. They also voiced support for ongoing reform efforts. The King, accompanied by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, started the tour by visiting Bani Khaled tribes, whose leaders stressed that Jordanians should stand by His Majesty's leadership to maintain the country's security and stability. "This country belongs to all Jordanians," tribal leader Nayef Saud Qadi said in an address he delivered during the King's visit, noting that how people serve their country defines their worth. "We, as Jordanians, acknowledge the dangerous stage the country is going through, which requires us to employ reason and logic," said Qadi said, stressing the importance of comprehensive reform in light of the changes taking place in the local and regional arenas. Addressing the Monarch during his visit to the Fawaareh tribe, retired Col. Hakim Mashhour Fawaarah said Jordanians must stand as one behind the Hashemite leadership to safeguard the Kingdom's achievements, according to the statement. Retired Lt. Col. Faraj Fawaareh said his tribesmen pledge that they will sacrifice to protect the Kingdom and will not allow anyone to "cross this red line", commending the King's reform efforts. Zbeid tribal leader Mamdouh Zbeidi voiced appreciation of the King's efforts to lead the Kingdom through the current phase. "We understand the difficult and sensitive choices that require our unity behind the leadership as it makes strategic choices," he said. Meanwhile, retired Maj. Gen. Ithaar Shanableh voiced appreciation for His Majesty's gesture to designate Veterans Day to celebrate servicemen, reiterating that Jordan's unity and stability is a "red line" that must be protected. Tribal leader Mahdi Smeir Tawafsheh stressed that young tribesmen believe in peaceful democratic movements that further strengthen the Kingdom's achievements. A Sarhan tribe's leader, Deifallah Keiber Sarhan, said the Hashemite leadership is the "sole guarantor" of the Kingdom's unity and stability, which rules through its historical and religious legitimacy. The speakers also dwelt on the needs and demands of their tribesmen, calling for more efforts to eliminate poverty and unemployment and improve public services. The leaders also called for better education opportunities for their children at Mutah and Al al Bayt universities. They called for establishing youth, sports and healthcare centres, resolving tribal wajihat issues and allocating more lands for their tribes. The King is scheduled to continue his visits to Northern Badia tribes on Thursday, the statement said.