Jordanian general budget ratified

Following a five-day debate -- the longest in Jordanian history -- the lower house of Jordanian parliament ratified the state general budget for 1998.

74 deputies attended the final session. 59 voted in favor of the project while 14 opposed it.

The council also ratified several recommendations raised by the financial committee. The recommendations asked the government to review bread and drinking water prices. There were more than 20 additional recommendations.