Jordan Times
Thursday, July 29, 2010
PM reshuffles Cabinet
By Hani Hazaimeh
AMMAN - Prime Minister Samir Rifai on Wednesday reshuffled his Cabinet,
appointing new ministers of tourism, education, agriculture, justice, labour and
media affairs, as well as creating a new portfolio, minister of state for legal
affairs.
This is Rifai’s first Cabinet reshuffle since his government took office last
December shortly after His Majesty King Abdullah dissolved the Parliament two
years early.
A Royal Decree was issued on Wednesday endorsing the reshuffle, under which the
ministers of justice, education, agriculture, tourism, media affairs and Cabinet
affairs left the government, while Labour Minister Ibrahim Omoush changed his
portfolio to become minister of state for prime ministry affairs and legal
affairs.
The newcomers were sworn in yesterday before King Abdullah, who also received
the outgoing ministers and thanked them for their efforts during their
ministerial tenures.
Former chief of the Royal Court Khalid Karaki, who was president of the
University of Jordan, became deputy prime minister and minister of education,
succeeding Ibrahim Badran.
Badran’s reign at the ministry was marked by several controversial events,
including the reporting of General Secondary School Certificate Examination (Tawjihi)
incorrect scores online, and strikes in March by teachers demanding the
minister’s resignation over remarks they deemed insulting.
Also leaving the Cabinet is Saeed Masri, who has been replaced as minister of
agriculture by Mazen Khasawneh. Masri’s tenure also involved controversy
following repeated protests by dismissed day labourers and after junior
employees at the ministry were charged with embezzling as much as JD1.5 million
last December.
Samir Murad will take up the post of labour minister, replacing Ibrahim Omoush,
who was appointed minister of state for prime ministry and legal affairs, while
former minister of planning and international cooperation Suhair Al-Ali is back
on the government team as minister of state for Cabinet affairs.
Hisham Tal, former president of the Legislation and Opinion Bureau as well as a
former minister, senator and judge, has become minister of justice, succeeding
Ayman Odeh.
Joining the government for the first time is Ali Ayed, formerly Jordan’s
ambassador to Israel, who replaces Nabil Sharif as minister of media affairs and
communications.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Maha Khatib was replaced by Suzanne Afaneh,
a former anchor and channel director at Jordan Television and head of the
communications department at Zain Telecom Company in Jordan.
With the return of Al-Ali and the appointment of Afaneh, the number of women in
the Cabinet rises to three, also including Minister of Social Development Hala
Lattouf.
The Council of Ministers convened on Wednesday after the newly appointed
ministers were sworn in, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.
After welcoming the new ministers and congratulating them on their appointments,
Rifai stressed the importance of diligence and teamwork in implementing the
King’s directives outlined in the Letter of Designation.
The premier also extended thanks to the outgoing ministers, expressing
appreciation for their efforts in serving the country and its citizens.
He also urged the Cabinet to build on what has already been accomplished at
various levels within the government’s action plan.
Cabinet List
Following is an updated list of Cabinet members after Wednesday’s reshuffle: