King, Iraqi planning minister meet

Amman
19 July 2005

His Majesty King Abdullah II on Tuesday expressed hope that the fourth meeting of Iraq donor nations convening at the Dead Sea in Jordan will secure the necessary support for development projects that Iraq needs.



During a meeting Tuesday with Iraqi Planning Minister Barham Salih, the King said that Iraq's restoration as an active regional state requires the robust support of the international community. He also said that Iraq's stability is a priority for Jordan, and that the country's reconstruction is central to the restoration of regional stability and security.



Salih thanked King Abdullah for Jordan's support of Iraq, and said that the convening of the donor countries meeting in Amman symbolizes the kingdom's support for Iraq's reconstruction. The donor meeting gathers 60 countries and international organizations, including the United Nations and the World Bank. Salih called the meeting an important opportunity to study and assess Iraq's needs and find the necessary support to fulfill them.



During the meeting, the World Bank announced that it would provide a conditional loan of US$500 million over the next two years to finance development and reconstruction projects in Iraq, in response to a request from the Iraqi government.



The meeting between King Abdullah and Salih was also attended by His Majesty's Advisor for Security Affairs and Director of the National Security Council General Saad Kheir.