His Majesty King Abdullah will inaugurate Sunday the 16th Parliament with a Speech from the Throne.

The session will be attended by the new government of Prime Minister Samir Rifai, which was sworn in before the King last Wednesday, as well as the 60 newly appointed senators.

Following the speech, the Senate will convene to elect committees and a panel to draft a reply to the King's speech, in accordance with the Upper House's bylaws.

Following the Senate meeting, the 120-member Lower House will meet in a separate session to elect its speaker for the first ordinary session as well as members of the permanent office, including deputy speakers.

According to the House bylaws, the first meeting is chaired by the eldest deputy, in this case Hamad Abu Zeid (Amman, Fourth District).