Jordanian government resigns

AMMAN - Jordan’s King Abdullah Tuesday accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Samir Rifai’s government and asked ex-premier Marouf Bakhit to form a new government, according to a royal court statement.

Rifai’s government was only formed after parliamentary elections in November.

However, demonstrations have swept Jordan on the past three Fridays calling for the resignation of the government, complaining of its failure to carry out necessary political and economic reforms.

The collapse of the government comes as both Egypt and Tunisia experience serious civil unrest against their governments.