The World - News from Oct. 11, 1987

King Hussein, opening a new session of Jordan’s Parliament, said he is postponing elections to the lower house for two years. A new electoral law passed last year increased the number of seats in the House of Representatives from 60 to 142 and lowered the voting age to 19 years from 20. While hailing the law as extending “the base of democratic participation,” Hussein said that more time is needed to register voters and prepare for new elections. There have been no general elections in Jordan for 20 years. Hussein also said that he hopes an Arab summit in Amman next month will help restore health and credibility to the Arab world and accused Israel of blocking Middle East peace.