His Majesty King Abdullah, the Supreme Commander of the Jordan Armed Forces, on Wednesday attended a ceremony held in honour of war veterans and retired servicemen, marking Veterans Day.

The ceremony, held by the Economic and Social Association of Retired Servicemen and Veterans (ESARSV) at the Dead Sea, was dedicated to commemorating the sacrifices and heroic feats of the Arab Legion during the 1948 war with Israel, and in commemoration of those who fallen martyrs in defence of the holy Al Aqsa Mosque.

On the occasion, King Abdullah directed Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Gen. Mashal Al Zaben to ease restrictions on loans for ex-servicemen.

Under the Royal directives, ex-servicemen will no longer have to provide collateral to obtain a loan, a condition that a large number of applicants have not been able to meet.

At the ceremony, attended by retired servicemen and veterans who expressed their appreciation of the Royal gesture, the Royal Court also honoured parents and family members of those who were martyred in the 1948 war.

Established in 1974, ESARSV oversees the affairs of retired servicemen and works to provide them and their children with appropriate job opportunities, in cooperation with concerned parties.

Under His Majesty’s directives to the government in 2011, February 15th was designated a national day in recognition of the achievements of veteran warriors and ex-servicemen.