Jordan's King Abdullah II on Tuesday expressed his confidence in the government of Prime Minister Abdur-Ra’uf Rawabdeh, following recent criticism of it by members of parliament.
"My pride in you has no limits and my trust in you is very great," the monarch told Rawabdeh and members of the government during a visit to the prime minister's headquarters where he chaired part of the weekly cabinet meeting
In a statement issued after separate meetings with the cabinet and House Speaker Abdel Hadi Majali, and broadcast by state television the king stressed that the cabinet was not the only party responsible for improving the lot of cash-strapped Jordanians.
"We must essentially focus on improving the condition of the Jordanian people and the economic situation," the king said.
"This of course is not my duty alone or your duty alone. I know that you are facing huge challenges and may God help you in your undertakings. Parliament too has an important role" to play, the king said.
"We are all partners, the three powers and the private sector, in bearing the responsibility," Abdullah added.
Rawabdeh later told reporters "there is no crisis" with parliament but "some of our parliamentary colleagues had some ideas which they brought to the attention of his majesty the king."
Earlier Tuesday King Abdullah met Majali for talks on domestic issues and ways of bolstering economic development in the country through a series of legislative reforms, a palace statement said.
Rawabdeh's cabinet has been on and off the target of criticism ever since the prime minister formed his government in March 1999.
Rawabdeh inherited a country riddled with economic problems, including surging inflation and unemployment, and a lukewarm peace with Israel that has failed to meet promises of prosperity -- AMMAN (AFP).
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
