Jordan's US-backed King Abdullah swore in on Monday a reform-minded government to speed up political liberalisation after protests inspired by popular uprisings in the Arab world. The new 30-member cabinet includes moderates, tribal politicians and technocrats. The powerful Islamist opposition declined an invitation to join but said it would support government reform moves.
Prime Minister Awn Khasawneh, a judge who worked at the Hague-based International Court of Justice, was appointed last week to replace Marouf al-Bakhit, who was widely criticised for inept handling of the crisis. US-educated former central banker Umayya Toukan was named finance minister in a move officials said aimed to allay investor concerns over soaring public spending that has threatened Jordan's fiscal and monetary stability.