CAIRO: Jordan’s interior minister announced Thursday his resignation after several COVID-19 curfew violations were committed in the Kingdom, state-run Petra News Agency reported.
Jordanian Prime Minister Bishr Al-Khasawneh said that the minister, Tawfiq Al-Halalmeh, had resigned “out of a moral and political responsibility” due to curfew violations that occurred over the past two days as Jordanians celebrated election results.
Some rioting took place as well as weapons being used in some parts of the kingdom as part of the celebrations that followed the electoral process, the statement added.
"I salute him for this responsible attitude and a deep sense of responsibility," Khasawneh said of the outgoing minister.
He also pointed to the Jordanian King’s post on Twitter regarding the celebratory chaotic scene.
“The unfortunate scenes that we saw from some people after the electoral process are a clear violation of law, and are against the safety and health of society, and do not reflect the true awareness of the vast majority,” the king tweeted.
The prime minister stressed that the government would not tolerate any violations, adding that the government would not stand idle and would hold accountable everyone who was involved in such events.
Jordan's interior minister resigns after outcry over breaches in COVID-19 lockdown
https://arab.news/b3xbj
Jordan's interior minister resigns after outcry over breaches in COVID-19 lockdown
- Al-Halalmah said he took "moral" responsibility for the unruly events that followed announcements of the results of parliamentary elections
- The resignation of the interior minister came shortly after King Abdullah in a tweet expressed his indignation at the scenes widely circulating on social media
50,000 perform Ramadan Taraweeh prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque
- Worshippers gather amid heightened tensions in occupied West Bank
- Hundreds of Jerusalemites ordered not to enter mosque during holy month
LONDON: About 50,000 Palestinian worshippers performed the Isha and Ramadan Taraweeh prayers on Sunday evening at Al-Aqsa Mosque in the walled city of occupied East Jerusalem.
The crowds gathered despite Israeli military checkpoints and strict identity checks at the mosque’s gates, according to the Jerusalem Governorate.
Palestinians are observing the Muslim holy month, which began on Wednesday, amid heightened tensions in the occupied West Bank, including attacks by settlers and raids and arrests by the Israeli army.
More than 300 Jerusalemites recently received Israeli orders prohibiting their entry to Al-Aqsa during Ramadan, the Wafa news agency reported.
Israeli forces have increased their military presence in Jerusalem and restricted access to the mosque for children under 12, men over 55 and women over 50.
Since Wednesday, thousands of Palestinians have lined up to pass through military checkpoints, including at Qalandiya and Bethlehem, in the hope of attending prayers at Al-Aqsa.
