Are Jordan And The Palestinian Authority Next?

King Abdullah II (pictured) of Jordan fired his cabinet in response to protests in Jordan on the heels of what has been happening in Tunisia and Egypt.

The Jordanian news agency Petra announced that after recent protests in Jordan itself, the king had dismissed Prime Minister Samir Rifai and replaced him with Marouf al-Bakhit, a former general and ambassador to Israel and Turkey. He is widely viewed as clean of corruption.

The official announcement said Mr. Bakhit would have the task of “taking practical, swift and tangible steps to start a real political reform process, in line with the king’s version of comprehensive reform, modernization and development.” It added that the king asked Mr. Bakhit and the new cabinet to “bolster democracy” and proceed “with nation building that opens the scope for broad accomplishment to all dear sons or our country and secure them the safe and dignified life they deserve.”

Thousands have taken to the streets in Amman clamoring for change.

Meanwhile, also in response to the mood sweeping the region, in the West Bank, the Palestinian Authority announced it would hold local elections, postponed last year, “as soon as possible.” Prime Minister Salam Fayyad’s government said it would set the election date next week.

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.