Libya plans to recruit Jordanians to help in rebuilding

Feb 08, 2012

Premier, delegates discuss with officials prospects of cooperation.

AMMAN — Jordan on Tuesday offered to put all its capabilities and expertise at the disposal of the new Libya as the Arab country goes through a rebuilding stage.

A senior Libyan official said his country is interested in the offer, adding that Tripoli is particularly interested in Jordanian human resources.

The message was carried to the Libyan leadership by Prime Minister Awn Khasawneh and a wide-ranging delegation of officials and businessmen, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The premier held talks in Tripoli with National Transitional Council (NTC) Chairman Mustafa Abdul Jalil over ways to develop relations in the post-Qadhafi era.

For his part, Abdul Jalil expressed gratitude for His Majesty King Abdullah and Jordan’s political, humanitarian and logistic support to Libya, which will always be remembered by the Libyan people.

During the Libyan revolution against Qadhafi’s 42-year rule, Amman worked under an international coalition mandated by the UN to protect civilians.

After the regime change, Jordan undertook to train around 10,000 Libyan troops, while approximately 20,000 Libyans, including people injured during the revolt, have arrived in the Kingdom to receive treatment at its hospitals, according to officials.

Abdul Jalil voiced appreciation of the King’s gesture to deploy a Jordanian military hospital to the Libyan city of Benghazi, noting that the medical cadres have been not only treating Libyan patients but also extending their medical expertise to Libyan medical staff.

Libya is also expected to offer Jordanians jobs to help it in the rebuilding efforts, while the private sector eyes contracts in an array of projects designed to change the face of the oil-rich North African country.

According to Petra, Abdul Jalil said his country plans to benefit from Jordan’s expertise in various fields and from its “distinguished and highly qualified” human resources, especially in medical care, adding: “We are looking forward to benefiting from the Jordanian human resources which will be the basis of our future relations.”

Also during the meeting, HRH Prince Mired, chairman of the National Committee for De-mining and Rehabilitation noted that the agency is “fully ready” to extend its support and guidance to the Libyans to help remove mines scattered on their land.

Several ministers and senior officials accompanying Khasawneh made presentations to their Libyan counterparts on ways through which various Jordanian sectors can help Libya.

In this regard, Libya’s interim Deputy Prime Minister Mustafa Abushagur noted that his country, after the difficult situation it faced, is in need of a “complete overhaul”, and the government plans to benefit from the expertise of the Arab and Islamic states, adding that “priority will be given to Jordan due to its advanced expertise in various spheres”.

The delegation included Prince Mired, Minister of Justice Salim Al Zoubi, Minister of Industry and Trade Sami Gammoh, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Rowaida Maaitah, Minister of Information and Communications Technology Bassem Roussan, Minister of Transport Alaa Batayneh, Minister of Health Abdul Latif Wreikat, Minister of Public Works and Housing Yahya Kisbi, Minister of Labour Maher Wakid, Minister of Public Sector Development Khleif Al Khawaldeh, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Klaib Fawaz and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Qutaiba Abu Qura.

The Jordanian delegation also comprised secretaries general of several ministries, directors of public agencies, heads of parliamentary committees as well as representatives of chambers of trade and finance, professional associations and businessmen.

Also on Tuesday, Khasawneh met with Libya’s interim Prime Minister Abdurrahim Al Kib. The two stressed the need to continue cooperation and coordination between Jordan and Libya.

Source: The Jordan Times.
Link: http://jordantimes.com/libya-plans-to-recruit-jordanians-to-help-in-rebuilding.