Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Senator Laila Sharaf on Sunday said she has withdrawn her resignation from the Upper House of Parliament upon the insistence of His Majesty King Abdullah that she remain in the Senate.

Around two weeks ago, Sharaf submitted her resignation to Senate President Taher Masri in protest against her son Fares Sharaf’s removal as governor of the Central Bank of Jordan.

His dismissal triggered public protest, with several parties and media outlets alleging that the decision cast doubt upon the government’s seriousness in fighting corruption.

In her letter of resignation, a copy of which was made available to The Jordan Times, the senator “implicitly” criticised the government’s dismissal of her son, asserting that the executive authority’s interference in the jurisdiction of independent entities was against the principles of transparency and democracy.

At the time, Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit said Sharaf was asked to resign because “he was obstructing development plans”.

“Out of respect for and abidance with the King’s desire, I will go back to the Upper House to resume my legislative duties,” the senator told The Jordan Times over the phone yesterday.

However, she indicated that her agreement to serve another term was against her own wishes.

“Twenty years of public service is enough,” she said. “I want to rest and give other newcomers a chance.”

* Jordan Times