Tuesday, Feb 01, 2011

(Adds details, opposition criticism, background.)

AMMAN (AFP)--King Abdullah II of Jordan Tuesday sacked the government after weeks of protests, but his choice of replacement premier failed to satisfy the powerful Islamist opposition's demands for reforms.

The king named Maruf Bakhit to replace Samir Rifai with orders to carry out "true political reforms," the palace said, but the Islamists criticized the choice, saying he isn't a reformist.

"Bakhit's mission is to take practical, quick and tangible steps to launch true political reforms, enhance Jordan's democratic drive and ensure safe and decent living for all Jordanians," a palace statement said.

But Zaki Bani Rsheid, a leader of the Islamic Action Front, said Bakhit "is a not a man of reforms."

"He carried out the worst parliamentary elections in Jordan in 2007. He is not the right person to run things at this current state and get Jordan out of crisis," Bani Rsheid told AFP.

The Islamists have long charged that the 2007 election was rigged.

"We need a man who is well respected by the people, a man who does not have a history of corruption and oppression. How can he [Bakhit] lead political reform?" Bani Rsheid asked.

The Islamist opposition said on Monday that it had started a dialogue with the state, saying that, unlike the situation in Egypt, it did not seek regime change.

Opposition demands included "the resignation of the government, the amendment of the electoral law and the formation of a national salvation government headed by an elected prime minister," Bani Rsheid told AFP then.

The Islamists have also called for constitutional amendments to curb the king's power in naming government heads, arguing that the premiership should go to the leader of the majority in parliament.

The constitution, adopted in 1952, gives the king the exclusive prerogative to appoint and dismiss prime ministers.

Despite recent government measures to pump around $500 million into the economy in a bid to help improve living conditions, protests have been held in Amman and other cities over the past three weeks to demand political and economic reform.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

01-02-11 1405GMT