Jordan King Names International Judge as PM
King Abdullah II on Monday named International Court of Justice judge Awn Khasawneh as prime minister, replacing Maarouf al-Bakhit, whose government has been accused of failing to meet growing demands for reforms, a government official said.
"Khasawneh is currently meeting with the king, who entrusted him to form the new government," said the official who requested anonymity.
The appointment follows the resignation earlier Monday of al-Bakhit at the request of the monarch.
Al-Bakhit tendered his resignation, the day after a majority of parliamentarians called for his ouster, a senior Jordanian government official said Monday.
Al-Bakhit had been widely perceived as dragging his heels on a political reform package.
The Monday announcement came one day after 70 out of 120 parliamentarians called on King Abdullah II to sack him.
Source: Associated Press
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