Jordan's king to ask security advisor to form new cabinet

Jordan’s King Abdullah II intends to ask his national security adviser to form a new Cabinet in the wake of the Amman hotel bombings that killed 62 people, a top government official said today.

Marouf al-Bakhit, Jordan’s ambassador to Israel, was expected to be designated as the new prime minister, replacing Adnan Badran, the official said.

The change of government is part of general shake-up following the suicide-bombings of three Amman hotels on November 9, which killed 63 people, including the bombers, and wounded hundreds.

The blasts harmed Jordan’s reputation as one of the most stable countries in the Middle East.

Al-Bakhit was appointed to head the national security council, a post that entails liaising between the king and the security services.

The official predicted a new Cabinet would be formed within days following al-Bakhit’s consultations with various political parties.

Badran, who has run the government since April, was expected to tender his resignation to the king later today.

Government officials said the king may have chosen al-Bakhit owing to his reputation as a tough former general who ran a southern Jordanian university that trains army and police recruits.