Jordan and Israel inaugurate new dam

Israel and Jordan inaugurated on Monday a project to divert water from the Yarmouk river to Jordan, reports Jordanian news agency Petra.

The project was dedicated by Jordanian minister of water and irrigation, Hani Al-Maqli, and Israeli foreign and infrastructure minister, Ariel Sharon.

Petra quoted the Jordanian official as saying the dam will allow Jordan to get its share of Yarmouk river waters and will increase water flow via King Abdullah canal to Jordan by an annual 50 million cubic meters of water.

Al Maqli said the 9-month 650,000 Jordanian dinars project does not contradict the planned Al-Wahda dam with Syria. He added that by next year water supply to Jordan will reach 200 million cubic meters a year.

The dam construction was provided for in the Jordanian-Israeli peace agreement signed four years ago.