The Saudi leadership offers condolences to the King of Jordan on the death of Ahmed Obeidat
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent cables of condolence and sympathy to His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, on the death of former Jordanian Prime Minister Ahmed Obeidat, who passed away after a life full of giving in service to his country and nation.
In their two telegrams, the Saudi leadership expressed their profound sorrow and deep sadness at this news, praying to God Almighty to grant the deceased His abundant mercy and forgiveness, to admit him to Paradise, and to grant patience and solace to the noble Hashemite family, the family of the deceased, and the brotherly Jordanian people. This expression of condolence comes within the framework of the deep-rooted fraternal relations and profound historical ties that bind the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, both leadership and people, as the Kingdom always shares in the joys and sorrows of its sister nation, Jordan.
Ahmed Obeidat: A remarkable political and legal career
The late Ahmed Obeidat was one of Jordan's most prominent statesmen, leaving a clear mark on the Kingdom's political and legal history. Born in the Haritha area of Irbid in 1938, Obeidat earned a law degree and subsequently rose through the ranks to hold sensitive and important positions that shaped the foundations of the modern Jordanian state. He served as Director of the General Intelligence Directorate for an extended period, from 1974 to 1982, where he was known for his security and political acumen during a time of complex regional challenges.
The deceased's role was not limited to security; he also moved into executive political work, serving as Minister of the Interior and then as Prime Minister from 1984 to 1985. During his premiership, Obeidat focused on strengthening the rule of law and combating administrative corruption, earning him widespread respect in both popular and political circles. He also played a pivotal role in Jordan's democratic transition, chairing the Royal Committee for drafting the National Charter in 1990, a document that laid the foundation for a new era of party and political life in the country following the restoration of parliamentary life.
The deceased's status and influence
Obaidat served several terms in the Senate, where he was a prominent voice in legislation and oversight. In later years, he emerged as a leading national reformist figure, heading the National Center for Human Rights and the National Front for Reform, advocating for public freedoms and the development of the political system. The passing of a figure of Ahmed Obaidat's stature represents a loss for the Jordanian and Arab political landscape, given his extensive experience and insightful legal vision.
The messages of condolence from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince reflect the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s appreciation for national figures who served their homelands faithfully, and affirm the deep and continuous fraternal solidarity between Riyadh and Amman in all situations and occasions.
