Jordanians celebrate late king's 64th birth anniversary

Jordan on Sunday celebrated the 64th anniversary of the birth of the late Jordanian King Hussein, who died on February 7 this year of cancer. Amman and other Jordanian cities witnessed citzens' marches, speech rallies and military parades, as well as prayers and sermons in churches and mosques in which speeches recalled aspects of the life of the late king.

The speakers commended the wise policy pursued by the successor of the late king, his son, King Abdullah, who earlier in the morning visited together with his wife, Queen Rania, his father's tomb and oversaw a religious ceremony on this occasion.

In May, Jordan's King Abdullah decided to designate his father's birthday as an official day off in Jordan on which the country's public and private sector establishments are closed.