AMMAN — Headed by Senate President Faisal Fayez, and attended by Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh and his Cabinet, the Senate on Sunday held its first meeting of the second ordinary session of the 19th Parliament, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

 

In his speech, Fayez said that Jordan is moving steadily towards the future and is undergoing comprehensive political, economic and administrative reforms under the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah.

 

Referring to His Majesty’s Speech from the Throne, Fayez said that it outlines the features of the future and confirms that Jordan is part of the Arab nation.

 

The Senate is conscious of the magnitude of the challenges facing Jordan, he said, voicing keenness to cooperate with the Lower House and the government to serve national interests.

 

The Senate agreed to form a committee to draft a response to the Speech from the Throne.

 

Senators elected members of the Senate’s permanent office, electing Samir Rifai as first vice president, Abdullah Ensour as second vice president and Mifleh Ruheimi and Alia Bouran as assistants to the president.

 

The permanent office consists of the council president, his two deputies and two assistants, who are elected during the council's first session and serve for a period of two years. 

 

MP Ahemd Khalieleh was elected as the first deputy speaker of the Lower House.

 

During the Lower House session, on Sunday, Khalieleh won 61 votes, with his viral MP Khaled Abu Hassan garnering 53, while 10 votes were cancelled.