Jordan to vote on nuclear draft law

Abdullah summons Parliament for special session after summer recess.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
abdullah 298.88 (photo credit: AP [file])
abdullah 298.88
(photo credit: AP [file])
Jordan's King Abdullah II has summoned Parliament to convene for a special session to vote on bills that include a nuclear energy draft law. Abdullah, who wields considerable powers under the constitution, said in a Royal Decree that the 110-seat Chamber of Deputies would convene on April 15, the official Petra news agency reported Friday. No details were made available on the Jordanian nuclear energy draft law, but in January, Abdullah said he wanted to develop Jordan's nuclear capabilities for peaceful purposes. Washington has indicated it had no objection to a peaceful Jordanian nuclear program. Abdullah also called for the creation of an Arab center for peaceful nuclear technology that would help "build our societies and modernize the realms of science, industry, agriculture and health." Abdullah ordered Parliament into a summer recess last month ahead of legislative elections expected later this year. The king is expected to dissolve the Parliament, whose four-term is up this summer, and call for legislative elections. The government has not yet set a date for parliamentary elections but has said they would follow municipal elections expected to be held in July.