Thousands of Jordanians took to the streets across the country on Oct 21 expressing jubilation over the sacking of Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit’s government, which they accused of blocking political reform. About 2,000 activists, mainly belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood movement and tribes, demonstrated outside the Grand Husseini Mosque in central Amman after Friday prayers, saying “Good Bye to Bakhit, Welcome to the Reformer.” The slogan referred to King Abdallah’s dismissal of Bakhit’s Cabinet and his appointment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) judge, Awn Khasawneh, as new prime minister.
Khasawneh offered to include in his Cabinet hard-liners and other opposition political parties, and pledged to carry out the needed reforms, including the enactment of an up-to-date election law that produces a lower house of Parliament truly representative of the people. The premier designate said he expected to announce the formation of his Cabinet on Monday.