Economic Reformer Is Named Premier

King Abdullah II accepted the resignation of the government and appointed a new prime minister seen as a keen supporter of economic reform. The appointee, economist Ali Abu Ragheb, will form a new Cabinet. In a message to outgoing Prime Minister Abdul Raouf Rawabdeh on state-run Jordan Television, the king expressed his appreciation to the previous government. Rawabdeh’s resignation was widely expected after parliament criticized the government’s progress on political and economic reforms. Abu Ragheb, 54, a former trade and industry minister, told Jordan Television that he planned to keep 10 ministers from the previous Cabinet, including those of foreign affairs, finance, trade and industry, tourism and labor.