King Abdallah sworn in the new Cabinet which replaced the government of former Prime Minister Samir Rifai which the KING sacked on Feb. 1.

In his letter to Bakhit, Abdallah underlined the importance of carrying out "real political and economic reforms," foremost amending the election law that prompted the country's main opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood movement, and its political arm, the Islamic Action Front (IAF,) to boycott the Nov. 9, 2010, elections.

Four ministers from the outgoing government retained their portfolios in the new Cabinet, including Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, Interior Minister Saad Srour and Finance Minister Mohammad Abu Hammour.

Bakhit included in his Cabinet ministers with left-leaning and Pan-Arab inclinations, including Taher Adwan, editor in chief of Alarab Alyawm newspaper, who was appointed as minister of state for media affairs.

Prominent columnist Tareq Masarweh was picked up as minister of culture, while former Chairman of the Jordan Bar Association Hussein Megalli was appointed minister of justice.

The Brotherhood and the IAF refused to join Bakhit's government, saying they preferred to remain in the opposition at this juncture to ensure that genuine reforms would be conducted in the run-up for the dissolution of the Parliament and arranging fair polls.