Ammon News - AMMANTwo deputies-elect have withdrawn their candidacy to the Lower House speakership ahead of Sunday's first ordinary session during which the newly-elected chamber will also choose deputy speakers and the legislature's various committees.

Jerash Deputy Mifleh Rheimi said today he would not stand in Sunday's vote for speaker a day after Mafraq deputy Abdul Karim Kabariti dropped from the race.

The withdrawals left Central Badia deputy, Faisal Al Fayez, the only candidate, but the door is open for others to run for the House's top job before Sunday's opening session.

If no lawmakers applied for candidacy, Fayez would win by acclamation. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Samir Rifai and his ministerial team received well-wishers, a day after his new government won Royal endorsement.

Among those visiting the Prime Ministry to offer their congratulations were the Senate President, former prime ministers, the chief justice, heads of security departments, parliamentarians and heads of foreign diplomatic missions.

* Petra