Jordan willing to assist Chechnya - King - Russian Federation

AMMAN, August 28 (JT) - His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday said Jordan is ready to extend a helping hand to the Republic of Chechnya to develop its key sectors, especially education and health.

The King's remarks were made at a meeting with visiting President of the Republic of Chechnya of the Russian Federation Ramzan Kadyrov. The two leaders discussed various aspects of bilateral ties and means to bolster them.

The Jordan News Agency, Petra, quoted earlier in the day the Chechen president as saying that his talks with the King would cover cooperation in the political, economic and cultural fields and means to cement bilateral relations.

At a meeting later with Chechen community leaders in Jordan, Kadyrov described his country's ties with the Kingdom as "strong".

The president thanked the King for his efforts to promote the causes of the Muslim world, telling Chechen leaders here that his country hosted an international Islamic peace conference on August 22, entitled "Islam: Religion of Peace and Creation", which, he said, witnessed extensive participation by Arab countries.

Kadyrov added that the Chechens struggled for years to preserve their Islamic identity within the Russian Federation, saying he appreciated the support of Russian President Vladimir Putin to preserve the unity and the security of Chechnya.

Many Chechens fled to the Middle East after Russia's victory in the Caucasus wars of the 19th century. Jordanians of Chechen origin are estimated to number between 12,000 and 30,000 out of a population of 5.6 million.

"A meeting with the Chechen community is of special significance. The Chechen community in Jordan must be informed about what has actually been happening in Chechnya over the past 15 years and what is going on there right now," Kadyrov told the Russian Interfax news agency aboard the plane.

During his three-day visit ending today, Kadyrov has held meetings with several Jordanian officials and visited religious and historical sites.

Kadyrov is accompanied by Federation Council member Umar Dzhabrailov, Chechen Deputy Prime Minister Ziyad Sabsabi, Chechen Mufti Sultan Khaji Mirzayev and other senior officials.