Jordan's King Abdullah II accepted the resignation of prime minister Omar Razzaz on Saturday but asked him to stay on in a caretaker capacity until the monarch designated a successor to oversee parliamentary elections on November 10, state media said.
King Abdullah dissolved parliament last Sunday at the end of its four-year term in a move that under constitutional rules meant the government had to resign within a week.
A new government will pave the way for the November vote, as the country grapples with the rapid spread of Covid-19 infections during the past month for which the last government was widely criticised.
King Abdullah appointed Mr Razzaz in the summer of 2018 to defuse the biggest protests in years over tax increases sought by the International Monetary Fund to reduce Jordan's large public debt.
The monarch told Mr Razzaz in a letter accepting his resignation that mistakes were made in the handling of the pandemic, echoing medical fears the healthcare system could come to the brink of collapse if the community spread grows out of control.
Jordan reported 1,099 new cases on Saturday, bringing the number of infections in the kingdom to 14,749 with 88 deaths.
King Abdullah hopes a wider shake-up and a new assembly can ease popular disenchantment over economic hardships worsened by the outbreak and limits on civil and political freedoms under emergency laws.
Jordan's economy is expected to shrink by 6 per cent this year as it tackles its worst economic crisis in many years, with unemployment and poverty aggravated by the pandemic.
The Gandhi Murder
- 71 - Years since the death of MK Gandhi, also christened India's Father of the Nation
- 34 - Nationalities featured in the film The Gandhi Murder
- 7 - million dollars, the film's budget
Profile
Company: Libra Project
Based: Masdar City, ADGM, London and Delaware
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Sector: Renewable energy
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Brief scores:
Pakistan (1st innings) 181: Babar 71; Olivier 6-37
South Africa (1st innings) 223: Bavuma 53; Amir 4-62
Pakistan (2nd innings) 190: Masood 65, Imam 57; Olivier 5-59
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
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The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
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Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
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ARABIAN GULF LEAGUE FIXTURES
Thursday, September 21
Al Dahfra v Sharjah (kick-off 5.35pm)
Al Wasl v Emirates (8.30pm)
Friday, September 22
Dibba v Al Jazira (5.25pm)
Al Nasr v Al Wahda (8.30pm)
Saturday, September 23
Hatta v Al Ain (5.25pm)
Ajman v Shabab Al Ahli (8.30pm)
