The Jordan Armed Forces (JAF) on Monday announced a Royal endowment to establish a medical university affiliated with the Royal Medical Services.

The announcement was made during a ceremony the military held to celebrate the birthday of His Majesty King Abdullah, JAF Supreme Commander.

The King and Her Majesty Queen Rania attended the ceremony, along with Royal family members, Prime Minister Samir Rifai and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Lt. Gen. Mashal Al Zaben, among other senior officials, ambassadors and diplomats.

The university, to be named the Royal University for Medical Sciences, will also help prepare qualified Jordanian medical personnel to work in the health sector in local and regional markets.

Zaben also announced new JAF measures to continue the establishment of the Military Credit Fund, which the King launched last year to provide financing services for JAF and security personnel.

The credit fund will offer housing and personal loans, besides other financial services and is expected to start its work in mid-2011.

The gesture came as part of the King's commitment to develop services to help meet the needs of military and security personnel.