His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday directed the government to set up a taskforce to help the Lebanese private sector overcome the deteriorating economic situation caused by Israeli aggression.

The taskforce, the King told the Cabinet during a meeting, is charged with looking into the possibility of allocating a special zone where Lebanese businesspeople can store their goods and run their businesses.

Otherwise, domestic issues topped today's agenda.

The King said the action programme set at the end of the recent “We are All Jordan” Forum meetings is “crucially important for the present and future of Jordan.”

He added that all are partners in implementing this programme, each within his own sphere and jurisdiction.

King Abdullah said he is personally following up on the plan, hoping to “see substantial results on the ground.”

The government, he told the Cabinet, is tasked with drawing up implementation plans, coupled with timetables, urging ministers to cooperate with Parliament to expedite the enactment of laws given priority by around 700 local leaders at the forum's July 26-27 Dead Sea meetings.

Meanwhile, the King told the Cabinet that on the internal front, priority should be given to economic reform, urging all agencies and individuals involved to accelerate work on foreign investment attraction and noting that investments should be distributed around the country.

The Jordan Times