His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday chaired a National Policies Council (NPC) meeting that covered the latest regional developments and the municipal and governorate council elections, which took place on Tuesday.

During the meeting, held at the National Centre for Security and Crisis Management and attended by His Royal Highness Prince Feisal bin Al Hussein, adviser to the King and chairman of the NPC, King Abdullah stressed that the governorate and municipal council elections mark a major step on Jordan’s path of comprehensive reform.

His Majesty also expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Independent Election Commission in efficiently administering the polls.

The King praised the level of coordination and cooperation among the concerned authorities and security agencies during the electoral process, which ensured the elections’ success in line with Jordan’s international image and reputation.

Local administrations, His Majesty added, will give citizens a say in setting their development and service priorities, ultimately enhancing their participation in decision-making.

Discussions at the meeting, attended by a number of senior officials and officers, also touched on the current regional conditions in Iraq and Syria, and the de-escalation efforts in areas on Syria’s southern border.

Prime Minister Hani Mulki, Royal Hashemite Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Freihat, General Intelligence Department Director Maj. Gen. Adnan Jundi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, King’s Adviser for Tribal Affairs Sharif Fawwaz Zaben Abdullah, and Adviser to His Majesty and National Policies Council Rapporteur Abdullah Wreikat attended the meeting.

Interior Minister Ghaleb Zu’bi, Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Minister of State for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani, Public Security Directorate Director Maj. Gen. Ahmad Sarhan Faqih, and General Directorate of Gendarmerie Director Maj. Gen. Hussein Hawatmeh were also in attendance.