Jordan to retake lands leased to Israel

By Laith al-Juneidi

AMMAN (AA) – Jordan's King Abdullah II on Sunday announced his country's full sovereignty over two pieces of land leased to Israel as part of their peace deal.

"Today, I announce the expiry of the annex of al-Ghamar and al-Baqura in the peace deal and [imposing] our full sovereignty over every inch of the land," the monarch said in a speech at the opening of the parliament.

Held by Israel since the late 1940s, Jordan allowed the self-proclaimed Jewish state to lease the territory for 25 years under the 1994 peace agreement between the two countries.

The deal gave Amman the option to regain full control of the two lands after the end of the 25-year arrangement.

Last year, Jordan said it will not renew the lease of the two lands to Israel.