His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday stressed that Jordan's resilience and stability stem from the strength and unity of its people.

At a meeting that followed an iftar banquet hosted by King Abdullah at the Royal Hashemite Court for senior military and security officers and military retirees, His Majesty said Jordanians have to stand united to protect the Kingdom and reform economy and society in order to overcome challenges.

The King said the priority is to modernise the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF) to keep up with the latest developments and restructure the military and its systems to increase competence and efficiency, focusing on quality rather than quantity, without compromising manpower.

His Majesty expressed pride in JAF’s capabilities to handle challenges, stressing his full confidence in the military’s ability to manage the situation on the northern border and to respond effectively to any threat.

During the meeting, the King outlined regional developments and the security strategies to deal with their repercussions.

His Majesty stressed the need to support the Economic and Social Association of Retired Servicemen and Veterans, and enhance its role, in addition to supporting military and security retirees and providing them with job opportunities.

The plans to develop JAF include improving the living conditions of members of military and security agencies, the King noted.

In this regard, His Majesty thanked the UAE for its continuous support, especially in funding a training centre and a housing project for JAF.

For his part, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Freihat said that in line with the King’s vision and directives, JAF will not cross the border of any neighbouring country, but it will strike “with an iron fist” against any who attempt to cross or threaten Jordan’s borders.

He noted that the region is witnessing accelerating challenges brought on by conflicts among countries and terrorist groups that are increasing and changing loyalties every day, stressing the readiness of the Jordanian forces to deal with the situation.

The army chief said that upon royal directives, work is under way to restructure the army, with a focus on quality and reviewing the tasks and roles of military units to improve their performance.

Freihat noted JAF’s coordination with the Economic and Social Association of Retired Servicemen and Veterans, in appreciation of their services to the country, adding that the army and all security agencies are also coordinating efforts to protect the Kingdom.

For his part, Director General of the Economic and Social Association of Retired Servicemen and Veterans retired Maj. Gen. Ahmad Ajarmeh said the association, established 40 years ago, has not been able to reach the level that His Majesty desires, neither has it fulfilled the needs of the retirees.

Ajarmeh said the King has directed the concerned parties to restructure the association in accordance with its amended law, support its projects, establish a credit fund to extend loans to beneficiaries, and focus on training retirees to be able to join the labour market, thus improving their standards of living.

He underlined a JD1-million donation by JAF and security agencies to address the urgent needs of retirees.

Ajarmeh also noted that the association employs 8,000 retirees or their family members, and sponsors 141 cooperative societies.

During the meeting, attending retirees presented their opinions and proposals on developing the association.

They also stressed that they stand united under His Majesty’s leadership and with JAF and security agencies in defending Jordan’s stability and security, which come before all else.

Royal Hashemite Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, and Royal Hashemite Court Secretary General Yousef Issawi attended the meeting.

The King also joined the attendees in performing the maghreb (sunset) prayer.