Jordan gives royal approval to Qatar security deal as ties strengthen

A five-year security deal between Jordan and Qatar has been granted royal approval by Amman, two years after the two sides fully restored diplomatic ties.

The cooperation agreement was released in Jordan's official gazette on Wednesday following its approval by the monarch despite it being initially concluded on 4 July, The New Arab's Arabic-language sister service, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported.

Amman and Doha agreed in 2019 to restore diplomatic relations following a rift that lasted for more than two years.

Jordan had recalled its Qatar envoy in the summer of 2017 following allegations made by Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, suggesting Doha backs terror and is too closely aligned with Iran.

Doha firmly rejected these assertions but was subject to a blockade by the Gulf nations and Egypt which only ended in January this year.

This new deal between Doha and Amman says they are to "work to strengthen and develop the existing cooperation between them and exchange security and technical information and expertise to prevent and fight crime in all its forms".

The two countries will work on tackling terrorism, organised crime, trafficking in arms and people, drug smuggling, and money laundering.

Cooperation will also extend to border and anti-piracy efforts.

Qatar and Jordan will share intelligence on criminal activities.

Jen Psaki, the @WhiteHouse's press secretary, spoke with reporters during a Tuesday briefing, calling Doha and Ankara 'important partners' in the effort to evacuate #Afghanistan. 👇 #Qatar #Turkey #KabulAirporthttps://t.co/niEvx54F8T

— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) September 1, 2021

The deal will reset after five years and then continue unless either country decides to end the arrangement.