Jordanian King fires cabinet, appoints new prime minister
Mon 17 Oct 2011
Jordanian King Abdullah II has sacked Prime Minister Marouf al-Bakhit and his cabinet after the parliament asked him to do so yesterday, Sunday 16 October. Abdullah II has asked Awn al-Khaswaneh, an internationally renowned lawyer, to form and lead a new government. The head of the powerful Mukhabarat intelligence agency has also been replaced.
Al-Bakhit’s government was installed by King Abdullah II in reaction to popular unrest inspired by the Arab spring in February. However, his government failed to tackle a number of important domestic policy areas, including the organization of municipal elections that were to be held later this year.
Awn al-Khaswaneh has chaired the royal court in Jordan and was advisor on a team that brokered the peace with Israel in 1994. Since 2000, he has been a judge for the International Court of Justice.
Faisal Al Shoubaki will be the new head of the intelligence agency. He is currently serving as ambassador to Morocco.
Sources: Al-Jazeera, CNN, NRC Handelsblad, Image.
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