Jordan on Wednesday celebrated the 20th anniversary of the coronation of King Abdullah II, with the monarch attending a ceremony at the Cultural Palace with Queen Rania and Crown Prince Hussein to mark the occasion.
The celebration, attended by hundreds of young Jordanians from around the kingdom, was held by the University of Jordan, along with the Jordan University of Science and Technology, and the Hashemite, Mutah and Al Hussein bin Talal universities, state news agency Petra reported.
The ceremony highlighted Jordan's successes during King Abdullah's reign and depicted several milestones from the kingdom's history. It also celebrated Jordanian values and the diversity of its society and culture with folkloric performances representing all the kingdom's governorates, Petra said.
He later tweeted: "It is from your determination that I draw mine and when you’re joyful and happy, my happiness lasts.
"I was so proud to be surrounded by young men and women from different areas of the country and witness their sincere efforts and great love as they celebrated our Jordan and its accomplishments.
Separately, King Abdullah held a meeting with young Jordanian entrepreneurs to hear their problems and suggestions and directed the government to develop a programme to provide funding, training and technical support for youth starting small- and medium-sized projects, Petra said.
King Abdullah's accession to the throne followed the death on February 7, 1999 of his father King Hussein, who had ruled Jordan since 1952.
Later on Wednesday, King Abddullah left for Abu Dhabi to attend the joint Jordanian-Emirati military drill codenamed "Firm Constants/1".
Petra said the king was accompanied by Crown Prince Hussein.