Jordan marks 59 years of independence

AMMAN, Jordan, May 25 (UPI) -- Jordan Wednesday marked the 59th anniversary of its independence with a lavish reception but kept an eye on such challenges as political reform.

Prime Minister Adnan Badran hosted a reception attended by King Abdullah and Queen Rania, as well as senior government officials and heads of diplomatic missions in Jordan.

Among the biggest challenges facing Jordan is the political reform and economic reform it has been trying to implement since 1996.

Jordan received its independence in 1946 when Prince Abdullah bin al-Hussein canceled a treaty signed between then the Emirate of Eastern Jordan and Britain, and declared the creation of the Jordanian Hashemite Kingdom.