Notables and residents of the Taibeh and Wasatiyeh districts on Thursday said His Majesty King Abdullah’s constitutional authorities are the guarantees to all Jordanians.

King Abdullah paid a visit to the two districts to the west of Irbid, during which he met with leaders and grass-roots who delivered addresses welcoming the King and pledging allegiance to the Hashemite Throne. They also voiced support for the provisions of the national reform programme, which features wide political reforms leading to parliamentary governments.

In Taibeh, Deputy Akef Maqableh said reforms should restore the people’s dignity and freedom and stump out monopoly and corruption. “There should be a strategy to combat poverty through planned income-generating projects,” he said, stressing that Jordanians can withstand all challenges for the sake of the country, and will not tolerate theft and graft. Maqableh highlighted several demands on behalf of his district, including establishing a hospital, income-generating schemes, sports clubs and societies, in addition to renovating schools and roads and addressing water problems.

In Wasatiyeh, Senator Mohammad Azzam, a tribal leader of the Azzam tribe, said: “What some say about limiting the powers of the King is rejected by theory and principle,” adding that protests seen in the Kingdom’s streets are “positive” movements that serve the country’s interests.

Former deputy Mahmoud Mheidat echoed the same sentiment, adding that differences are about programmes and their implementation, not about fundamental constants.

King Abdullah met residents in both areas over a lunch banquet and exchanged views with them on several issues, including the developmental challenges they face.