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Jordanian King Approves 1st Reshuffle of Razzaz’s Cabinet

Jordan's King Abdullah II. Reuters file photo
Jordan's King Abdullah II. Reuters file photo
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Jordanian King Approves 1st Reshuffle of Razzaz’s Cabinet

Jordan's King Abdullah II. Reuters file photo
Jordan's King Abdullah II. Reuters file photo

Jordanian King Abdullah II approved Thursday the first reshuffle of Prime Minister Omar al-Razzaz’s cabinet, which had faced severe criticism regarding services and disclosure of corruption in several ministries that were included in the reshuffle.

The move saw six cabinet portfolios merged with other ministries, while a new portfolio -- that of "Administrative and Institutional Development" -- was created. Five new ministers entered the cabinet for the first time while ten others were dismissed.

Majd Shweikeh was appointed as minister of institutional and administrative development, Ghazi Al Zaben as minister of health, Falah Omoush as minister of public works, Basma Ishaqat as minister of social development, Mohammad Abu Rumman as minister of youth and culture, and Ibrahim Shahahdeh as minister of agriculture and environment.

Those who joined the government included Bassam Talhouni, appointed as minister of justice, Raed Abu Saoud (minister of water and irrigation) and the new Minister of Education, Azmi Mahafzah.

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US Says Committed to 'Diplomatic Resolution' in Lebanon

FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
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US Says Committed to 'Diplomatic Resolution' in Lebanon

FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stressed that the United States was dedicated to a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon and urged Israel to improve "dire" conditions in Gaza, in a call Saturday with his Israeli counterpart.

Austin "reiterated US commitment to a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon that allows Israeli and Lebanese civilians to return safely to their homes on both sides of the border" in his call with Israel Katz, according to a Pentagon spokesperson.

Austin also "urged the Government of Israel to continue to take steps to improve the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza and emphasized the US commitment to securing the release of all hostages, including US citizens."

Lebanon said Saturday that an Israeli air strike in the heart of Beirut that brought down a residential building and jolted residents across the city killed at least 11 people.

Israel stepped up its campaign against the Hezbollah militant group in late September, targeting its strongholds in Lebanon.

Lebanon's health ministry says at least 3,645 people have been killed since October 2023, when Hezbollah began trading fire with Israel in solidarity with its Palestinian ally Hamas.

The United Nations and others have repeatedly decried humanitarian conditions, particularly in northern Gaza, where Israel said Friday it had killed two commanders involved in Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack.

In the call with Katz, Austin also discussed ongoing Israeli operations and reaffirmed Washington's "ironclad commitment to Israel's security," the Pentagon said.