Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait have offered $2.5 billion in aid for Jordan to ease its economic crisis following a wave of anti-austerity protests, the Saudi state media announced early Monday (June 11th).
Jordan has been rocked in recent days by mass protests against price rises and a proposed tax hike as the government pushes measures to slash the country's debt, leading to the prime minister's resignation.
A four-nation summit in the holy city of Mecca, hosted by Saudi King Salman, offered Amman a bailout in the form of a deposit in the Jordanian central bank, World Bank guarantees as well as budgetary support over five years.
"In light of the close brotherly ties... it was agreed that the three countries (Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait) would provide an economic aid package to Jordan totalling $2.5 billion," the official Saudi Press Agency said.
The crucial summit was attended by Jordan's King Abdullah, who offered his gratitude to the three countries, adding the package will "contribute to overcoming the crisis", according to SPA.
The announcement comes after EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini on Sunday announced $23.5 million in aid for Jordan.
"The speed and the gravity with which the Gulf states are responding is a very clear testament to their concern and determination to nip this unrest in Jordan in the bud," Lori Boghardt, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, told AFP.
