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Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - His Majesty King Abdullah II Tuesday stressed the necessity to protect low-income groups and the middle class in view of the difficult economic conditions facing the Kingdom.

He also said during a meeting at Al Husseiniyeh Palace with the speakers of the Lower House and Senate and members of their permanent offices that he had directed the government to study proposed measures for fiscal reform and to look into alternative options to protect people with the lowest income.

His Majesty stressed that increasing the growth and competitiveness of the national economy should be the basis to raise its performance.

He said the Middle East is in a state of war, and added that "we are doing our utmost to increase growth and curb unemployment in view of the hardships" while urging "realism regarding what can be achieved this year".

The King also said he is exerting efforts abroad to secure the necessary support for Jordan, which, he said, "bears the burdens of others more than any other country around us".

He said the Middle East is passing through one of its most difficult stages, adding "this is not only a Jordanian crisis but a regional crisis", stressing that tremendous regional and international changes lie ahead this year, and that an Arab role is important and more work needed at the internal and external levels".

His Majesty urged the government, senate, lower house, ministries and institutions to stand shoulder to shoulder to bypass the challenges, adding, "no one is more concerned about the country or citizen than me, and no one knows more than me the economic, political and security challenges, but I am confident we are capable to transcend them".

In this context, the King stressed the importance of coordination and cooperation between the government and parliament regarding economic legislations in the coming stage.

He also emphasised that human resources development, combatting extremism and building the responsible citizen in the civil state is the foremost priority to protect Jordan in all circumstances.

The King noted that he was abundantly clear in his Sixth Discussion Paper on the rule of law, which, he said, is largely thought and culture as well as measures and actions, stressing that no one is exempt from the rule of law or the fight against corruption.

"We respect and protect every citizen in this country, and will not tolerate that anyone infringe the rights of the other, or harm the feelings of our sons from the various sects and origins or spread his vicious ideology or hatred among our sons", he added.

He also said that those who do not revere the country's fallen soldiers and appreciate their sacrifices had no place in its agencies, ministries and institutions.

The meeting dealt with the security and regional situation and challenges facing the Kingdom and the region this year.