Jordanian government approve 2004 budget

In its session held on Sunday, the Jordanian government approved the state's general budget draft law for the fiscal year 2004, estimated at 2670 million Jordanian Dinars (3.76 billion dollars).

Figures issues in Amman yesterday indicate that the deficit in the budget reached 236 million Dinars ( 412 million dollars), representing 3.9% of the GNP.

The Jordanian minister of state, and spokeswoman for the government, Asma Khader said that the Cabinet will submit the draft law to the parliament for discussions for approval.

On the other hand, the speaker of the Jordanian parliament, Saad Hayel Srour, said he will not be a candidate for the elections which will be held for the post of speaker of this council at the opening of the ordinary session of the Ummah council ( parliament ) due to be held next week.

By the withdrawal of Srour from the battle to the presidency of the parliament in the next session, two candidates will be competing for this post: Abdul Hadi al-Majali, and Mamdouh al-Abbadi, former secretary of the Capital ( Amman) municipality.