Amman - King Abdullah II of Jordan on Tuesday called on Prime Minister Nader Dahabi to prepare for general elections following his dissolution of the lower house of parliament Monday. "The forthcoming polls should provide an example in transparency, fairness, and justice, and represent a milestone on our path of reforms and modernization," the monarch said in a letter to Dahabi.
The letter urged the prime minister "to take all necessary steps, foremost the amendment of the election law, to ensure the coming elections will be a qualitative transition" in the country's democratic path.
The letter apparently sought to assure the public and opposition parties that the amendment of a election law long blamed for favouring lawmakers with tribal, factional and business ties over those with clear election programmes, was imminent.
Earlier Tuesday, opposition leaders welcomed King Abdullah's dissolution of the chamber, but insisted that the election law be changed. This was necessary before any real political change could occur in Jordan, they said.
King Abdullah did not set a date for the new polls, however Jordan's constitution stipulates that elections must be held within four months of the dissolution of the lower house.
The letter to Dahabi was also apparently intended to assure the prime minister that he will remain in office at least until the new elections take place.
Local newspapers on Tuesday raised the possibility of an early departure of Dahabi's cabinet as part of a wide political shakeup in the Hashemite Kingdom.
