Jordan’s King Abdullah swore in a new 27-member government led by Ali Abul Ragheb on Monday, before leaving to China on an official visit.
The most important change involved the two key portfolios of foreign and interior affairs. Veteran politician Abdul Ilah Khatib, a liberal, left the foreign office after three years to former Information Minister and Ambassador to Washington and Tel Aviv Marwan Muasher, while Interior Ministry Secretary General Qaftan Majali replaced the Interior Minister Awad Khleifat.
Abu al Ragheb, a 55 year old Parliamentarian, formed his 29 member government in June 2000 and was entrusted by the king with the task of activating the stagnant economy and attracting foreign investments. The government was reshuffled many times; the last of which was last October.
The new government is expected to supervise the parliamentary elections scheduled for September 2002.
During a meeting with the resigning government Monday, King Abdulla II affirmed the “importance of the participation of all citizens in the upcoming elections which will be an example of fairness and freedom.” Originally the parliamentary elections in Jordan were scheduled in November 2001 but they were postponed after a new electoral law was passed.
New Jordanian Government
A royal decree was issued late Monday endorsing the new government formed by Ali Abu al Ragheb as follows:
Ali Abu al Ragheb, Premier and Minister of Defense
Fares al Nabulsi, Minister of Justice and State Minister for Legal Affairs (former deputy premier)
Mohammed al Halaikah, Minister of National Economy and Minister of State (former deputy premier)
Mustafa al Qaisi, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs (new minister and former Chief of Intelligence)
Abdul Razzaq Tbeishat, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Environment
Mohammed Affash al Odwan, Minister of State for Political Affairs and Minster of Information (new)
Mohammed al Thneibat, Minister of Administrative Development
Marwan al Muasher, Foreign Minster (new)
Michelle Marto, Minster of Finance
Hosni Abu Ghida, Minister of Public Works and Housing (new)
Taleb al Rifaei, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities
Khaled Toqan, Minster of Education
Mrs. Tamam al Ghoul, Minister of Social Development
Fawwaz Hatem al Zubi, Minster of Post and Communications
Ahmed Hlayyel, Minster of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and Shrines
Mohammed al Bataineh, Minster of Energy and Mineral Resources
Hazem al Naser, Minister of Water and Irrigation
Faleh al Naser, Minister of Health
Nader al Thahabi, Minster of Transport
Mahmoud al Dwairi, Minister of Agriculture
Basem Awadallah, Minster of Planning
Mzahem al Mheisen, Minster of Labor
Salahiddin al Bashir, Minster of Industry and Commerce
Shaher Pak, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (new)
Qaftan al Majali, Minister of Interior (new)
Waleed al Ma’ni, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
Haidar Mahmoud, Minister of Culture (new)
(Albawaba.com)
