AMMAN — Jordan has offered new benefits for members of the armed
forces.
Officials said King Abdullah has approved a series of measures meant to
enable soldiers and security personnel to obtain a stake in state-owned
companies. They said the measures would benefit both current and retired
employees.
In a meeting with senior army officials, Abdullah said a percentage of
the shares of companies allocated for privatization would be reserved for
members of the armed forces. The king said both current and retired
personnel would obtain the shares at a discount, Middle East Newsline reported.
"I am aware that the development gains should benefit all citizens,
particularly members of the armed forces, the Security Department, the
General Intelligence and the Civil Defense Department," Abdullah said.
In an address reported by the official Petra News Agency, Abdullah said
the military and security forces would protect reforms planned for Jordan.
He pledged that the military would be provided with expertise, firepower,
training and equipment.
Government sources said Jordan has been modernizing the military and
security forces amid the insurgency threat from neighboring Iraq and Syria.
They said the security forces have also increased monitoring of the Islamic
opposition in the kingdom.
