His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday accepted the resignation of Samir Rifai's government and tasked him with forming a new cabinet to continue implementing the plans outlined in the outgoing government's Letter of Designation about a year ago.
In the Letter of Designation addressed to the prime minister-designate Monday, King Abdullah commended the achievements of the government in different areas, but noted that there is still a long way to go to fully realise the development process. The letter instructed the government to continue working transparently and systematically to achieve the goals included in the previous Letter of Designation, highlighting several priorities that the government should take into account.
The King said that the Kingdom's comprehensive reform process must be continued in order to fulfill citizens' expectations of a prosperous future, and underscored that the pace of reform had not met expectations.
“It occasionally was hampered and slowed down and was subjected to narrow and personal accounts more than once, costing the nation many opportunities and limiting our ability to build on a tremendous era of possibilities for development and reap the gains,” the King wrote.
In light of this, King Abdullah directed the prime minister-designate and his new team to conduct a comprehensive review to remove the obstacles to implementing the strategy of reform, development and modernisation.
The King added that political development that boosts public participation in the decision-making process is a prerequisite for the success of other social and economic reforms.
He also instructed the new government to refer the temporary Elections Law to the Lower House and give it urgent status, so that Parliament may study and amend it as necessary “in accordance with the interests of the country” and with the aim of “incorporating this important law into the Kingdom's political life”.
“The government must also cooperate with the legislative authority to complete the decentralisation law to enable citizens to have a greater say in determining their future and identifying their development priorities,” the King said.
The letter also urged a smooth relationship between the legislative and executive authorities to enhance performance at all levels.
He added that the government should also continue enhancing the country's economic performance through clear programmes that ensure a decent living for citizens, pointing out that these programmes should seek to raise Jordan's economic competitiveness and productivity, attract investments, expand the middle class, and alleviate poverty and unemployment.
“The government should also make every effort to entrench the rule of law and follow policies that ensure social justice and preserve the dignity and rights of all Jordanians, along with national unity, which has been and will remain stronger than any attempts to tamper with or abuse it,” King Abdullah said.
The King also noted the need to develop the judiciary and provide it the support required to enhance its performance so that it would remain just, impartial and independent.
King Abdullah also instructed the government to provide the required support to ensure the Jordan Armed Forces preparedness and development, whether in terms of training or armaments.
The King said that Jordan's continuing support for the Palestinian people's right to live freely in an independent and viable state on their national soil is a strategic interest of the Kingdom and called on the government to employ the country's good offices worldwide to support Palestinians and be an advocate for their right to build their country's national institutions.
Earlier in the day, Rifai sent a letter to King Abdullah thanking him for entrusting him with forming the new government. He also highlighted the achievements of the outgoing government and its seven-point action plan.
“The government achieved progress in some objectives, but was still working to realise better results in other objectives that normally require longer-term efforts, particularly those associated with the economic situation due to their reliance on the financial resources and the conditions of the international economy,” the prime minister-designate pointed out.
Rifai added that despite the difficulties, the government was able to reduce the budget deficit, which had reached almost unprecedented levels, in addition to enhancing economic growth.
“The economic indicators have also shown marked improvements that [improved] the country's ability to attract investments,” he said, noting that the outgoing government also increased the number of schools, hospitals and healthcare centres throughout the Kingdom.
Rifai also highlighted the government's efforts to conduct transparent elections.