Jordan's King Abdullah approves cabinet reshuffle amid protests

[News_Editor]

Jordan's King Abdullah approves cabinet reshuffle amid protests

2011-07-02 22:34:59 GMT+7 (ICT)

AMMAN (BNO NEWS) -- Jordan's King Abdullah II on Saturday issued a decree approving a cabinet reshuffle in Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit's government, Ammon News reported.

The new ministers took the oath of office before King Abdullah at the Royal Palace. This is the first reshuffle of the cabinet, which was formed in February after protesters called for the resignation of then-current prime minister Samir Rifai and his government. The previous government was blamed for price hikes, excessive taxation, unemployment, and difficult economic conditions.

Among the new nine ministers are Ibrahim Omoush and Abdul Latif Wreikat, who were named ministers of justice and health respectively after a royal decree was issued on May 29th accepting the resignation of Hussein Mjalli and Yassin Hosban. Both ministers resigned over the government's decision to allow convicted business tycoon Khaled Shaheen to depart the country last February under the pretext of seeking medical care.

Earlier on Saturday, Bakhit asked his cabinet to submit their resignation, in preparation for a reshuffle that would change several ministers in his second term. Bakhit reshuffled his cabinet rather than submit his resignation for the King to replace the premier.

The government reshuffle comes less than a week after the Lower House of Parliament decided to acquit Bakhit of implication in the high-profile Dead Sea Casino corruption case, which took place during his first term in office (2005-2007).

In 2007, Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit's government authorized the building of a casino on the eastern shores of the Dead Sea by a London-based investor. The deal was later renegotiated and annulled by Prime Minister Nader Dahabi's government, saving the Jordanian treasury over $1.4 billion in fines.

The case has sparked protests across the country over the past weeks, with Jordanians demanding the ouster of Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit's government for its failure to carry out political reforms and combat corruption.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-07-02