Middle East: Discussion

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[url="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iq6U5tOt9-r82mBM8q8f4X7PEXgw?docId=3cdbb5b33b054e1c9b14f356f2eb62ac"]Jordan's king fires Cabinet amid protests[/url]

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Jordan's King Abdullah II fired his government Tuesday in the wake of street protests and asked an ex-prime minister to form a new Cabinet, ordering him to launch immediate political reforms.



The dismissal follows several large protests across Jordan— inspired by similar demonstrations in Tunisia and Egypt — calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Samir Rifai, who is blamed for a rise in fuel and food prices and slowed political reforms.



A Royal Palace statement said Abdullah accepted Rifai's resignation tendered earlier Tuesday.

The king named Marouf al-Bakhit as his prime minister-designate, instructing him to "undertake quick and tangible steps for real political reforms, which reflect our vision for comprehensive modernization and development in Jordan," the palace statement said.

Al-Bakhit previously served as Jordan's premier from 2005-2007.