Jordan's Islamists Snub New Government
Jordan's powerful Islamist opposition said on Saturday it would not join the reform-mandated government of prime minister-designate Awn Khasawneh, a decision reflecting its "pessimism."
"The executive offices of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Islamic Action Front (IAF) decided, after a joint meeting, to refuse to participate in the government," read a statement on the Brotherhood's website.
"Pessimism replaced our original satisfaction because, according to leaks, it seems the new government will resemble its predecessors," it said.
"The delegation appointed to negotiate with Mr. Khasawneh will submit to the prime minister-designate a list of the Islamist movement's demands," the statement added without elaborating.
The state-run Petra news agency later said "the prime minister received on Saturday evening a delegation of the Islamist movement which expressed its refusal to take part in the (next) government."
The king last week dismissed the government of Prime Minister Maaruf Bakhit and replaced him with Khasawneh, an International Court of Justice judge, instructing him to focus on political reform in Jordan.
Khasawneh is expected to announce his government on Monday, according to officials.
Since January, Jordan has faced protests demanding political and economic reforms and an end to corruption.
Source: Agence France Presse
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