Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - A Royal Decree was issued on Monday approving the formation of a new Cabinet, headed by Bisher Khasawneh.

The Royal Decree approved the appointment of Khasawneh as Prime Minister and Minister of Defence.

In addition, the Decree approved the appointment of the following:

1. Tawfiq Kreishan as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Local Administration
2. Ayman Safadi as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates
3. Umayya Toukan as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Economic Affairs
4. Mohammad Daoudiyeh as Minister of Agriculture
5. Tayseer Noaimi as Minister of Education
6. Musa Maaytah as Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs
7. Ali Ayed as Minister of State for Media Affairs
8. Nasser Shraideh as Minister of Planning and International Cooperation
9. Yahya Kisbi as Minister of Public Works and Housing
10. Nayef Al Fayez as Minister of Tourism and Antiquities
11. Ibrahim Jazi as Minister of State for Prime Ministry Affairs
12. Ahmad Ziadat as Minister of State for Legal Affairs
13. Bassam Talhouni as Minister of Justice
14. Maha Al Ali as Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply
15. Hala Zawati as Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources
16. Mohamad Al Ississ as Minister of Finance
17. Mohammad Khalayleh as Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs
18. Basim Tweissi as Minister of Culture
19. Nabil Masarweh as Minister of Environment
20. Ayman Mufleh as Minister of Social Development
21. Mohammad Khair Abu Qudais as Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
22. Mahmoud Kharabsheh as Minister of State
23. Nawaf Wasfi Tell as Minister of State for Follow-up and Government Coordination
24. Tawfiq Halalmeh as Minister of Interior
25. Nathir Obeidat as Minister of Health
26. Marwan Khitan as Minister of Transport
27. Motasem Saidan as Minister of Water and Irrigation
28. Mohammad Salameh Al Nabulsi as Minister of Youth
29. Raba’ah Ajarmeh as Minister of State for Institutional Performance Development
30. Maen Qatamin as Minister of Labour and Minister of State for Investment Affairs
31. Ahmad Hanandeh as Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship

The new Cabinet members were sworn in before His Majesty King Abdullah at Al Husseiniya Palace.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi attended the swearing-in.

Mahmoud Kharabsheh will be sworn in before King Abdullah as Minister of State after the conclusion of a quarantine period, having tested positive for COVID-19, while Nawaf Wasfi Tell will be sworn in before His Majesty as Minister of State for Follow-up and Government Coordination after concluding the quarantine measures required for travellers returning to Jordan.

In his reply to the Letter of Designation, Prime Minister Khasawneh expressed appreciation of His Majesty’s trust.

He said the government will employ a transparent, science-based approach to dealing with the health sector, especially countering COVID-19.

The prime minister said the government will work to enhance healthcare services and capacities, while also balancing economic, social, and educational needs.

Khasawneh expressed the government’s commitment to bolster its relationship with Parliament, and to work in partnership with the private sector to stimulate economic growth and promote investment.

He stressed the importance of enhancing economic resilience and combating poverty and unemployment, noting commitment to economic reform to increase Jordan’s competitiveness.

Voicing commitment to combating financial and administrative corruption, Prime Minister Khasawneh said the government will also continue efforts to develop the social safety net and will plan a realistic budget that takes into account reducing the public debt.

The prime minister said efforts will be directed towards combating tax and customs evasion, adding that the government will provide all the support needed by the Independent Election Commission.

A scientific study will be conducted to look into merging ministries and agencies to streamline the public sector, enhance services, and control expenditures, Khasawneh said in the letter.

Noting His Majesty’s attention to food security, the prime minister stressed the government’s commitment to bolstering the agricultural sector.

The government will also work to mitigate the pandemic’s impact on the tourism sector, continue the restructuring of the energy sector, and upgrade the public transport system, Khasawneh said.

He added that the government will pay special attention to youth, Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army and security agencies personnel, and retired servicemen.

Reaffirming commitment to the Palestinian cause and the Hashemite Custodianship of Jerusalem’s Islamic and Christian holy sites, the prime minister said the government will continue to focus on joint Arab action.

Khasawneh added that the government will submit a detailed action programme, with clear timeframes, within 100 days to the King on planned economic, social, financial, political, and reform-related measures.

Also on Monday, His Majesty, accompanied by Crown Prince Al Hussein, met at Al Husseiniya Palace with former prime minister Omar Razzaz and members of his outgoing Cabinet, thanking them for their efforts while in office.