His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday opened the third session of the 14th Parliament, requesting that the legislature pass legislation on anti-terrorism, regional development, the National Agenda and a framework for social solidarity services.

King Abdullah also called on the legislature to act responsibly when dealing with the government.

Topping the speech was the anti-terrorism law, proposed in the wake of the triple suicide bombings at three Amman hotels on November 9. The King said the law would be part of “a security strategy” designed to deal with Jordan's changed circumstances.

“This requires the drafting of legislation that serves this strategy to ensure that Jordan will remain as it always has been: An oasis of security and stability and a haven for freedom where human rights are respected,” King Abdullah told the full chamber of senators and deputies.

The King reiterated that “development cannot proceed and our goals cannot be realized unless and until security, stability and the rule of the law are ensured.”

The government of Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit is expected to submit an anti-terrorism draft law to the Parliament later this month.

Noting the country's achievements in development, the King said more involvement of the people in this arena had become necessary. To that end he said the Royal Committee on Regional Development would submit its findings to Parliament.

In addition, he said, the National Agenda, prepared by a multifaceted steering committee, would be put before Parliament and the government for deliberation.

The committees on regional development and the National Agenda were both set up in February.

The Steering Committee for the National Agenda completed its 2,500-page document of recommendations designed to set political, economic and social policy for the next 10 years. Its chairman, then-deputy prime minister Marwan Muasher, presented the document to King Abdullah on November 23. The regional development commission, headed by Senate President Zeid Rifai, submitted its report on the same day, recommending more involvement of Jordanians all over the Kingdom in the decision-making process related to the development of their areas and help citizens in various regions elect their own councils.

King Abdullah told legislators that Jordan is "at a new threshold of the reform and modernization march, and confronting the challenges imposed upon us by difficult region circumstances requires each and every one of us to rise to the challenge of this moment.”

His call for a body responsible for social solidarity seeks to eliminate waste through duplication or unnecessary overlapping of services.

“There must be a single body that constitutes a term of reference and serves as an umbrella for social solidarity that works within a clear plan within an institutional framework and that is accountable.”

Following the King's speech, members of the Lower House of Parliament reelected Abdul Hadi Majali as House speaker.

Majali received 68 votes over his opponent Deputy Saad Hayel Srour, who won 38 votes.

The Lower House of Parliament comprises 110 elected deputies and the Senate 55 appointed members.