Ammon News - AMMAN (Petra) The Lower House of Parliament on Sunday elected Deputy, Saad Hayel Srour, as chamber's speaker in a vote that followed His Majesty King Abdullah's opening of the 17th Jordanian parliament with the Speech from the Throne.

The Northern Badia-lawmaker won after securing 80 votes while his rival Deputy Mohammed al-Haj received 62 votes.

In his winning speech, Srour, a veteran MP and politician, thanked the lawmakers for their confidence and pledged to maintain the same distance from all and live up to their expectations.

He said consolidating trust with the public tops the house’s priority through diligent work, vowing that the legislature would cooperate with the government, as determined by the Constitution.

Prime Minister, Abdullah Ensour, congratulated Srour and the house over vote and said the King’s speech opens the doors before the parliament to make reforms in the Constitution and laws.