BICOM

Jordan’s King Abdullah II sacked his government yesterday and requested former-prime minister Marouf al-Bakhit to form a new cabinet and to initiate immediate political reforms. Abdullah’s decision came after several large protests took place across Jordan that were inspired by the events in Tunisia and Egypt. The Jordanian protesters called for the firing of Prime Minister Samir Rafai, who is blamed for an increase in fuel and food prices and for slow political reform. A statement from the Jordanian Royal Palace said that Abdullah instructed al-Bakhit to “undertake quick and tangible steps for real political reforms, which reflect our vision for comprehensive modernisation and development in Jordan.”

Meanwhile, in Egypt, President Hosni Mubarak addressed the nation yesterday as a million people took to the streets in Cairo around Tahrir Square. In his address, Mubarak said that he planned to retire later in the year and would not run in the next election scheduled for September. Following Mubarak’s comments, US President Barak Obama responded that Egypt must begin its peaceful transition into democracy. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked President Obama and other Western leaders to make it clear to any new Egyptian government that it must fully abide with the peace treaty it holds with Israel. “We are not opposed to democracy in Egypt but it is important for us to preserve the peace agreement,” a senior official in Jerusalem said.