Jordan’s king reshuffles his cabinet, seeks reform

Jordan's King Abdullah II reshuffled his Cabinet Monday and instructed his prime minister-designate to boost investment and push political reforms stagnating under efforts to weaken Islamic opposition groups.

Abdullah told Samir Rifai, who keeps the premiership he assumed nearly a year ago, that he wanted to see more investment and job creation to tackle 13.3 percent unemployment and to sustain the middle class, which was dealt a blow by growing inflation and the global recession.

An announcement on other ministers is to be made later this week, but they are expected to include two-thirds of the outgoing Cabinet, government officials said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not allowed to make press statements.

Monday's reshuffle precedes the inauguration of a newly elected 120-seat parliament, scheduled for Sunday. Abdullah will outline his policies in a speech to lawmakers.

Pro-government politicians won a majority of parliamentary seats, ensuring Abdullah will encounter little opposition to his central foreign policy goals: continuing his strong alliance with the United States and limiting criticism of Israel for its stalled negotiations with the Palestinians.

Abdullah has pressed forward with economic reforms under which his cash-strapped nation entered lucrative ventures with peace partner Israel. Exports have also risen thanks to free trade agreements with the United States, Canada and Turkey.

Jordan faces serious economic challenges, including a record budget deficit of $2.1 billion and a rising foreign debt, now at $12 billion.

Abdullah acknowledged the pace of political reforms was slow.

He called for changes to a controversial electoral law adopted in May, but he did not provide details.

Islamic opposition parties boycotted the Nov. 9 parliamentary election to protest the law, which they said gave less weight to votes in areas where they had most support.

The government has been hesitant to change the law, fearing Islamists would regain a majority in parliament, as happened in 1989.

Wary of the rising power of Islamic militant groups like the Palestinian Hamas, Jordan's political reforms have stagnated as the government looks to limit Islamist influence at home.