Jordan's king dismisses government, appoints new PM
By the CNN Wire Staff
February 1, 2011 -- Updated 1435 GMT (2235 HKT)
In the last week, Islamists, leftists and union members have demanded more
significant economic reform in Jordan.
In the last week, Islamists, leftists and union members have demanded more
significant economic reform in Jordan.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
* The new government is directed to launch the political reform process
* Demonstrations took place last week in cities across Jordan
* Citizens have demanded more significant economic and political reforms
* Some also called for the ouster of the former PM
RELATED TOPICS
* Amman (Jordan)
(CNN) -- The king of Jordan dismissed his government Tuesday and appointed a
new prime minister with orders to implement political reform.
The dismissal follows several protests calling for change in Jordan -- protests
that echo demonstrations that have swept across North Africa and the Middle
East in the last few weeks.
King Abdullah II asked Marouf Al Bakhit to form a government in Jordan that
will implement "genuine political reform," the Royal Court said in a statement.
The government will "take practical steps, quick and concrete, to launch a
process of genuine political reform" and "comprehensive development," according
to a letter from the king to Al Bakhit. It also will act to strengthen
democracy, the letter said.
Jordan has been deprived of "achievement opportunities" due to some leaders'
resistance to change, the king wrote, and because they had sometimes put their
own interests ahead of those of the public.
The king asked Al Bakhit and the new government "to conduct a thorough
evaluation process" and review laws regarding political affairs and civil
freedoms to "address the mistakes of the past" and develop "a clear action plan
that takes the march of reform forward."
King Abdullah II also called on the new government to strengthen the
institutional infrastructure and combat corruption, and prosecute those found
to be involved in corruption.
The development in Jordan follows protests that forced the president of Tunisia
from power and unrest that has convulsed Egypt for days. Demonstrators also
have called for change in Algeria, Sudan and Yemen. Protest organizers have
called for a demonstration this week in Syria.
In Jordan, police estimated that several thousand people gathered in capital
Friday to demand more significant economic and political reforms. Protesters
including Islamists, leftists and union members marched in downtown Amman, and
there were protests in six other cities as well, authorities said.
It was the third Friday in a row for the protests. Demonstrators gathered in
front of the Al Husseini Mosque to decry government policies they blamed for
rising prices, low wages and unemployment.
There were also calls for former Prime Minister Samir Rifai, who took office in
December 2009, to step down, and for the dissolution of parliament.
The Islamic Action Front, the political arm of the Jordanian branch of the
Muslim Brotherhood, is also asking for an "elected government." Currently, the
king appoints the prime minister and the Cabinet.
The Jordanian government in recent weeks announced several measures aimed at
easing citizens' economic hardships, including reducing taxes on fuel
derivatives and subsidizing some basic commodities. A pay raise of 20 Jordanian
dinars a month (US$28) was given to civil servants, military personnel and
retirees. But protesters Friday said the measures do not go far enough.
Those in Amman on Friday also showed their solidarity with others in the Arab
world, most notably Egypt, where protesters have recently taken to the streets
to demand certain freedoms and urge the ouster of their leaders and governments.
CNN's Salma Abdelaziz and Journalist Amy Hybels contributed to this report.
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