A Royal Decree was issued on Wednesday endorsing the new cabinet formed by Dr. Marouf Bakhit.
The ministers of the new government are as follows:
- Marouf Bakhit: Prime Minister and Minister of Defence
- Saad Hayel Srour: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior
- Samir Habashneh: Minister of State and Minister of Agriculture
- Salwa Damen: Minister of Social Development
- Hani Mulki: Minister of Industry and Trade
- Nasser Judeh: Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Khaled Toukan: Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources
- Abdel Rahim Akour: Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs
- Mohammad Abu Hammour: Minister of Finance
- Riyad Abu Karaki: Minister of Parliamentary Affairs
- Tayseer Nueimi: Minister of Education
- Jafar Hassan: Minister of Planning and International Cooperation
- Mohammad Najjar: Minister of Water and Irrigation
- Hussein Mjalli: Minister of Justice
- Mazen Saket: Minister of Public Sector Development and Political Development
- Wajih Oweis: Minister of Higher Education
- Mohammad Adeinat: Minister of State for Prime Ministry Affairs
- Yahya Kisbi: Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Mahmoud Al Kafawin: Minister of Labour
- Mohannad Qudah: Minister of Transport
- Tareq Masarweh: Minister of Culture
- Haifa Abu Ghazaleh: Minister of Tourism and Antiquities
- Yassin Husban: Minister of Health
- Atef Tal: Minister of Information and Communications Technology
- Taher Shakhshir: Minister of Environment
- Taher Odwan: Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications
- Hazem Qashou: Minister of Municipal Affairs
In his reply to the Letter of Designation, Bakhit, who is now awaiting Lower House confidence for his Cabinet, vowed to continue the institutional dialogue that he started the upon his appointment as premier.
As premier-designate, Bakhit met with senators, deputies, political party leaders, youth and women activists, industry and business leaders, and others.
He said that the dialogue will be continuous and consistent, and will include the opposition, which he described as a key partner of the government, along with all political and social actors in the Kingdom.
He said that the assessment process underlined in the designation letter is a product of this dialogue and seeks to be a foundation for consensus among participants.
He also added that partners in the dialogue will review all previous policies, especially those applied to the economy and development, “without alienating any party and without prejudice”.
Bakhit said a new elections law prone to expedite political reform is another expected outcome of the dialogue and vowed to adopt an institutional and legislative plan to fight corruption.
“The government will push for specialised [anti-corruption] legislation to address amassing wealth through illegal means and enforce accountability. The government will open all corruption files… with transparency and with no exceptions. There will be no immunity for any official, no closed files and no protection for the corrupt.”
On the media, the premier said in the reply letter that the press will receive enough support to serve as the “fourth estate” without any restrictions, adding that his government will work with the Jordan Press Association and representatives of the media to modify the laws governing the profession.
He also promised a makeover of official media, whose role “will be redefined to cope with the new age”.
Similar support will go to the youth sector, Bakhit said, stating that his government will reintroduce conscription, which was frozen in early 1990s, “with a new vision and in a new form”.
The government will also focus on improving the quality of education at all levels, and support teachers.
On the long-demanded teachers association, the premier said his government would accept any suggestion for a body that serves the interests of teachers and defends their rights, provided that it is consistent with the Constitution.
Also Wednesday, King Abdullah met with Rifai and members of his outgoing team and thanked them for their efforts and achievements.