Jordan's major cabinet reshuffle concluded Sunday night raised the number of its members from 20 to 27, including four women ministers.
This was the first reshuffle since Prime Minister Faisal al-Fayez, was appointed prime minister in Oct. 2003. According to the local press, it is seen as an important move to enhance the kingdom's administrative development and reform.
Former Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher was named as deputy prime minister and minister of state for prime ministry affairs and government performance. The newly-created post was aimed at ensuring the government's supervision over the policy-making body's administrative responsibility. According to the Jordan Times, this new ministry corresponds with King Abdullah's directives for the government to restructure the public sector and streamline as well as upgrade its burdensome bureaucracy.
With the cancellation of some double portfolios, 10 new ministers joined in the cabinet to push forward the government's plans of raising the people's standards of living.
Fayez stated following the reshuffle that the political development process was still a priority for the government and his cabinet would continue working to ensure an even greater public participation in the country's political agenda.
The premier also noted that administrative reform and the restructuring of institutions and ministries would not affect social and job security, adding that the reform will not have impact on political and economic development.
The focus on administrative reform means that the government will stick to its plans to achieve comprehensive development in all sectors, he stressed.
He said that the issues of human resources, health care and poverty alleviation as well as advancing the judiciary and the political arena would be the focus of the government's action plan. (albawaba.com)
© 2004 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
