Ammon News -

AMMONNEWS - A Royal Decree was issued by King Abdullah II on Wednesday approving the cabinet reshuffling in Prime Minister Samir Rifai's government.

Prime Minister Samir Rifai announced on Wednesday the first ministerial reshuffling of his cabinet, where six ministers were replaced, and a new seventh position was announced.

King Abdullah II met the outgoing ministers on Wednesday afternoon and expressed appreciation for their efforts while they were in office, Petra reported.

The new Ministers include President of University of Jordan, Dr. Khaled Al Karaki as Deputy Premier and Minister of Education to replace Ibrahim Badran.

Hisham Al Tal as Minister of Justice to replace Ayman Odeh. Suheir Al Ali, who was the former Planning Minister, was appointed Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs.

Suzanne Affaneh as Minister of Tourism and Antiquities to replace Maha Khatib.

Ali Al Ayed, Jordan's Ambassador to Israel, will replace Nabil Sharif as Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications.

Mazen Al Khasawneh as Minister of Agriculture to replace Saeed Masri. Samir Murad as Minister of Labor.
Ibrahim Omoush as Minister of State for Prime Ministry and Legal Affairs.

Tawfiq Kreishan was appointed as Minister of Parliamentary Affairs.

The new ministers were sworn in before King Abdullah II on Wednesday afternoon.

Prime Minister Samir Rifai had said last week that he will not reshuffle his cabinet before the upcoming Parliamentary elections scheduled for November 9th.

Minister of Agriculture Saeed Masri was one of the first to be informed of the reshuffling, whereas outgoing Minister of Tourism Maha Al Khatib told 'Ammon News' "I spent three years at the Tourism Ministry, I am content as I had given all I have in the service of the country and citizens.

Outgoing Minister of Education, Ibrahim Badran, went ahead an inaugurated an event on Wednesday despite learning of the reshuffling decision and that he would have to submit his resignation.

Rifai's cabinet was sworn in last December shortly after King Abdullah dissolved the parliament two years early.