Clinton offers Jordan support in 'difficult times'
WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton offered support for Jordan Thursday in "difficult times" and said she looked forward to working with its new government when she spoke to King Abdullah II, her spokesman said.
The king on Tuesday named as prime minister Maruf Bakhit, a career soldier and former premier, after sacking the government of Samir Rifai, following weeks of protests to demand political and economic reforms.
Clinton made a 15-minute call to Abdullah indicating the United States is looking "forward to working with Prime Minister Bakhit and members of the new Jordanian cabinet," Clinton spokesman Philip Crowley told reporters.
The chief US diplomat stressed "the importance that we place on the continued excellent relationship with Jordan. We are eager to continue to support Jordan during these difficult times."
The protests in Jordan are part of a wave of anti-government unrest sweeping Tunisia, Egypt, and Yemen.
Bakhit began consultations Wednesday on forming a government charged with passing reforms and meeting the demands of the popular protests, despite objections from the Islamist opposition.
"We're going to support Jordan's efforts to undertake political and economic reform," Crowley said, noting press reports that King Abdullah conceded these efforts at reform have been too slow.
He recalled that Clinton underlined the importance of US economic assistance when she met in Washington last month with Jordanian Foreign Minister Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh.
"We have a very important program of economic assistance to Jordan. That's going to continue. So we will continue to work with Jordan to see how we can support these reform efforts," Crowley said.
The king on Tuesday named as prime minister Maruf Bakhit, a career soldier and former premier, after sacking the government of Samir Rifai, following weeks of protests to demand political and economic reforms.
Clinton made a 15-minute call to Abdullah indicating the United States is looking "forward to working with Prime Minister Bakhit and members of the new Jordanian cabinet," Clinton spokesman Philip Crowley told reporters.
The chief US diplomat stressed "the importance that we place on the continued excellent relationship with Jordan. We are eager to continue to support Jordan during these difficult times."
The protests in Jordan are part of a wave of anti-government unrest sweeping Tunisia, Egypt, and Yemen.
Bakhit began consultations Wednesday on forming a government charged with passing reforms and meeting the demands of the popular protests, despite objections from the Islamist opposition.
"We're going to support Jordan's efforts to undertake political and economic reform," Crowley said, noting press reports that King Abdullah conceded these efforts at reform have been too slow.
He recalled that Clinton underlined the importance of US economic assistance when she met in Washington last month with Jordanian Foreign Minister Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh.
"We have a very important program of economic assistance to Jordan. That's going to continue. So we will continue to work with Jordan to see how we can support these reform efforts," Crowley said.
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