Gül: We Expect the EU to Abide by the Pacta Sunt Servanda Principle

During the joint press conference he held along with President Sarkozy of France, President Gül averred: “Our expectation from the EU is that as part of the principle of the pacta sunt servanda, it must keep the promises it has given to us and that it must furnish an occasion for us to culminate the negotiations process with success.” 

President Abdullah Gül welcomed the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, arriving in Turkey to pay a working visit, with a ceremony at the Çankaya Presidential Palace. The two presidents, after proceeding to hold a bilateral talk, attended the working luncheon. After the luncheon, the President said they had conducted fruitful bilateral and delegational talks.

President Gül, mentioning the 500-year history between the two countries, declared that Turkey cares deeply about its relations with France, underlining its resoluteness to develop and keep these relations strong.

A COUNTRY OF BOTH EUROPE AND THE MEDITERRANEAN

The President further informed the press, saying: “Mr. Sarkozy has paid this visit as the term chairman of the G-20. I shared my thought with him that we expect him to visit Turkey as President of France as well because no French President has done so since 1992. He, in return, evinced his wish to visit our country in this regard.” Turkey and France, he continued, are two countries of both Europe and the Mediterranean, sharing a number of common interests.

“WE EXPECT THAT NO HINDRANCE SHOULD BE LAID IN OUR WAY DURING OUR NEGOTIATION PROCESS”

Turkish-French relations date back to the alliance between Francis I and Sultan Süleyman the Magnificient and it will continue like this in the future, President Gül proclaimed. “Our bilateral trade volume has reached 12 million Euros. We are sure of the fact that our potential is much greater than this. There are some 2,000 French companies conducting business in Turkey. We believe we can boost our economic relations. We lend our support for the G-20 Summit to be held in Cannes, considering such issues as getting the world economic order back on track. As you know, Turkey launched its negotiation process to be a full member of the EU in 2004. 

Turkey has a state strategy in this regard. Our expectation from the EU is that as part of the principle of the pacta sunt servanda, it must keep the promises it has given to us and it must furnish an occasion for us to culminate the negotiations process with success. Some countries like France and Austria have already decided to hold referenda after this negotiation process ends. We will respect the outcome no matter what the results of these referenda may be. On the other hand, we expect the EU to help this process proceed in a healthily fashion, of which I have shared with Mr. Sarkozy and which is the expectation of the Turkish nation as well.”

Informing the press members that they had also tackled the recent events in the Middle East, President Gül reiterated Turkey’s wish that the region be provided with peace, that democracy, the rule of law, human rights and freedoms dominate the region and that this transition process for change end without entailing chaos.

As for President Sarkozy, he expressed his pleasure to be the first French President to visit to Turkey in 19 years. He also noted that he decided to pay this visit to Turkey as he is aware of Turkey’s role in the international arena and the importance of Turkey’s support for France during the latter’s term chairmanship of the G-20. President Sarkozy further promised to pay an official state visit to Turkey, responding to President Gül’s invitation.

STUDY SEMINAR IN TURKEY

The French President later revealed his hope that a study seminar on the regulation of the raw material prices could be held under the co-chair of Turkey and France in April in Turkey. He further advanced France’s full support for Turkey in the latter’s fight against terrorism.

SARKOZY: “WE WILL KEEP TEAMING UP WITH EACH OTHER”

They have one issue on which both Turkey and France do not agree, the French President noted. “We have discussed this very issue as statesmen as well and tried to understand each other’s bottom lines to find a path for the future. We agreed there should be an appropriate way, lest any hindrance is laid in front of the Turkish nation and lead to the destabilization of Europe. We can have different viewpoints; on the other hand, we have close and amicable relations. We will keep teaming up with each other and searching for ways for the best possible future.”

(Presidency Of The Republic Of Turkey)

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GORBACHEV SAYS MIDDLE EAST EVENTS SIGN OF CHANGING WORLD

The wave of uprisings in the Middle East is also closely monitored by international political circles.

The last Head of State of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev likened the uprisings in the Arab world and North Africa to the "demise of Communism." 

Gorbachev, who will turn 80 next week, told a news conference that there are many similarities between the people's movements that started in Tunisia and Algeria and continue spreading across the Arab world, and the collapse of Communism. 

"People are striving for a better life. They have nothing to lose," Gorbachev said. 

Also criticising the incumbent administraion in Russia, Gorbachev described the country as an imitation of democracy. 

Gorbachev warned that the government's efforts to sideline political opponents could backfire, and said "The monopoly ends in rotting and hampers economic development."

(TRT-World)

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BRIC now becomes BRICS with entry of South Africa: Pranab

Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has confirmed that South Africa was the latest entry in the BRIC-Brazil, Russia, India and China association of countries. He said this at Paris, the French capital on Friday.

Interacting to mediapersons, he said that the delegates of the different BRIC countries, henceforth BRICS with the entry of South Africa, exchanged their views on common financial issues during the multilateral meet.

“Yes South Africa has joined this meeting, we have welcomed South Africa now BRIC is no longer BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) it is BRICS, one ‘S’ has been added to it that denotes South Africa. 

“BRIC meeting normally takes place to identify the common position as far as possible on different issues which we discuss in the G20. From that point of view we shared our views, we exchange our opinions and I do feel there is convergence of views on many issues but in international relations one did not expect that there would be convergence on every issue,” said Mukherjee.

The finance ministers of the BRICS held their first meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 Paris conference.

The first BRICS meeting will held be hosted by China in the month of April.
 

(India Talkies)

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Turkey, Jordan sign nuclear cooperation deal

Resource-impoverished Jordan says its peaceful nuclear program, supported by the United States, is imperative for electricity generation and exploring other cost-effective alternative sources.

Jordan and Turkey have signed a nuclear cooperation agreement paving the way for closer ties between the two countries. 

Resource-impoverished Jordan says its peaceful nuclear program, supported by the United States, is imperative for electricity generation and exploring other cost-effective alternative sources. 

The state Petra news agency said Thursday's accord covers nuclear reactor operation and servicing, provision of nuclear fuel cycle services, uranium exploration and radiation protection. 

Jordan wants to build a nuclear plant by 2019 to meet its growing energy needs and reduce its energy bill, which consumes about 20 percent of its annual budget. 

It has signed similar accords with 11 other nations, including Italy, Japan and the United States. 

(Haaretz)

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SYRIA PLANS TO BUILD FIRST NUCLEAR POWER PLANT BY 2020

The Damascus administration says that it will reach the level by 2020 where it can produce its own fuel.

A document sent to the International Atomic Energy Agency by the Syrian Atomic Energy Agency says that Syria's electricity requirement will increase by 33 percent in the next four years. 

According to this document, Syria is planning to raise the number of its hydroelectric power plants to fill the energy gap bound to rise in the forthcoming period and build its first nuclear power plant in the next nine years. 

The Damascus administration says that it will reach the level by 2020 where it can produce its own fuel. 

Syria is under the scrutiny of the International Atomic Energy Agency. However, Damascus’s plan to produce its own energy is expected to make for unease in the US. 

Israel bombed in 2007 Syria's Dair Alzur facilities on suspicions it housed a nuclear reactor. 

(TRT-World)

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Turkey-Iran: Two Countries with Very Steady Relations

Holding a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart, President Gül proclaimed Turkey and Iran to be two neighbors with the borders that have not been changed since 1639, adding: “It is hard to find any other two countries sharing borders as old as these and enjoying such steady relations throughout the world.”

President Abdullah Gül, paying an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran, was welcomed by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with an official ceremony in Tehran. Afterwards, the two leaders, having a tete-a-tete, chaired the delegational talks and they later held a joint press conference.

GREAT EXAMPLE OF FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN TURKEY AND IRAN

Remembering that Turkey and Iran have been sharing the same border since 1639, President Gül stated: “It is hard to find any other two countries sharing borders as old as these and enjoying such steady relations throughout the world.” He then referred to the exhibition entitled “Ten Thousand Years of Iranian Civilization, Two Thousand Years of Common Heritage” displayed at Topkapı Palace Museum as part of the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture programs as the best demonstration of the common culture and history shared by the two countries. He also underscored the very importance they attach to developing the bilateral relations between Turkey and Iran, informing the press that they have discussed both bilateral and regional issues including Iran’s nuclear program.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN THE ISLAMIC WORLD

In the whole of the region, particularly in the Middle East and the Islamic World, the President argued, significant changes are being experienced and he further commented on this: “These events should not surprise anyone as a matter of fact. In this very epoch in which communication enables people to be aware of everything, the very demands of people are for real. I shared my thoughts regarding this issue during my speech at the Islamic Conference Meeting held in Tehran back in 2003: ‘Every single country must put their own houses in order. We must pay heed to the demands of our people. In this regard, both political and economic reforms ought to be implemented.’ Sometimes, it is the public that urges what leaders do not, which is in fact what we are witnessing in the region these days. When leaders do not pioneer such reforms, people do. We hope that this country and its people will come through this process honorable, stronger and happier and that this process will not last long.”

TRADE VOLUME TARGET: 30 BILLION DOLLARS

As for Ahmadinejad, he shared his happiness to welcome President Gül to his country and drew attention to the bilateral relations recently developing remarkably in all areas between Turkey and Iran, declaring that the trade volume, which is currently is over 10 billion dollars, should be 30 billion dollars with the energy investments excluded.

President Ahmadinejad further extended his thanks to President Gül, saying: “We would like to offer our thanks to you for Turkey’s mediative role and efforts regarding Iran’s nuclear program. We are especially grateful for the Istanbul meeting, which is a great achievement on its own.” President Ahmadinejad also noted as follows: “There is no hindrance for us as a principle to carry our relations further. We have determined the very obstacles encountered in practice. We both will make efforts to eliminate these barriers.”

GÜL RECEIVES IRAN’S FIRST VICE PRESIDENT 

 

President Gül, after attending a luncheon given by the Turkish Ambassador to Tehran, Ümit Yardım, received Iran’s First Vice President, Mohammad Reza Rahimi. 

(Presidency of the Republic of Turkey)

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Mubarak resigns as president & hands power to army

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has stepped down and named a military council to run the country's affairs, state television said on Friday after 18 days of mass protests against his rule.

Egypt's higher military council said it would announce measures for a transitional phase after Mubarak stepped down.

In a statement, titled "Communique No. 3", it praised Mubarak for stepping down "in the interests of the nation" and said it "salutes the martyrs" who lost their lives in the unrest.

"We know the extent of the gravity and seriousness of this issue and the demands of the people to initiate radical changes," the statement said. "The higher military council is studying this issue to achieve the hopes of our great people."

"The council will issue a statement outlining the steps and procedures and directives that will be taken, confirming at the same time that there is no alternative to the legitimacy acceptable to the people," it added.

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Will protests have domino effect in Arab World?

The Arab world has been transfixed by the recent dramatic events in Egypt and Tunisia. Popular street protests have swept across Egypt just days after similar protests saw Tunisia's President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali flee his country. Could a domino effect sweep more leaders from power as it did around Eastern Europe in 1989?

After the Jasmin Revolution in Tunis, Egypt may face with a revolution against the governance of President Hosni Mubarak. The head of state, President Hosni Mubarak has been in power since 1981. 

Having difficulty in coping with corruption, increasing living expenses, and effects of global financial crisis are main elements of economic variables. Authoritarianism, nepotism, bad relations between government and opposition and shifting elites are the political variables. Hegemony of dominant powers on politically and economicly weak but geopolitically important countries in the region is international variable. All of these variables and elements form the dynamics of regime change.  

`As in Tunisia, Egyptians face tough economic conditions, official corruption and little opportunity to express their dissatisfaction with the political system ` (BBC, 2011). As a result of this, huge protests continue in Cairo's Tahrir Square, but President Mubarak stands resolute.

Mubarak says to transfer power but not resigning on last night. He says that he was delegating his powers to his Vice President Omar Suleiman.

Suleiman, a 74-year-old former intelligence chief who was promoted just last month, is not widely popular with protesters who are seeking a complete break with the military-dominated system that has governed Egypt for the past six decades` (Reuters, 2011)

Why Egypt is important for the Middle East? 

 

Egyptian stability is important for Mideast peace. The Camp David Accords were signed by Egyptian President Anwar El Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin on September 17, 1978, following thirteen days of secret negotiations at Camp David. This Framework for the Conclusion of a Peace Treaty between Egypt and Israel, led directly to the 1979 Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty. In addition to this, Egypt is a key partner in the search for peace in the Middle East and resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 

 

Moreover, Egypt played an important role in the negotiations leading to the Madrid Conference of 1991, which, under United States and Russian sponsorship, brought together all parties in the region, including for the first time a Palestinian delegation, to discuss Middle East peace. 

 

This support has continued to the present, with President Hosni Mubarak often intervening personally to promote peace negotiations. In 1996, he hosted the Sharm El-Sheikh "Summit of the Peacemakers" attended by President Bill Clinton and other world leaders. 

 

In 2000, he hosted two summits at Sharm El-Sheikh and one at Taba in an effort to resume the Camp David negotiations suspended in July 2000, and in June 2003, Mubarak hosted President George W. Bush for another summit on Middle East peace process. Another summit was convened in Sharm El Sheik in early 2005, which was attended by Egypt, Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Jordan. The Egyptian Chief of Intelligence, General Omar Suleiman, has played a substantial role in negotiations between the Israeli and Palestinian sides and is highly respected on both sides.  

 

Consequently, if Egypt fails to suppy stability within the country, this make a domino effect as it did around Eastern Europe in 1989. 

 

From Jasmine to the Nile Revolution: Who is Next?

  
Yemen, Algeria, Syria, Libya, Jordan, Morocco, and Kuwait may face with a revolution or unrest  after resign or transfering power of Tunisian President Ben Ali and Egyptian President Mubarak. 

Yemen, the head of state is President Ali Abdullah Saleh, 64. He has been in power since 1978. President anounces he will quit in 2013. 

Algeria, the head of state is Abdelaziz Bouteflika, 73. He has been in power since 1999. There are protests on the streets, but President Bouteflika presides over coalition.  

Syria, the head of state is Bashar al-Assad, 45. He has been in power since 2000. He is son of former president of Syria, Hafea al-Assad. Protests are suppressed. 

Libya, the head of state is Muammar Gaddaffi, 68. He has been in power since 1969. No opposition to Gaddafi due to traditional divisions in population. 

Jordan, the head of state is King Abdullah II, 49. He has been in power since 1999. King sacks his government on 1 February and ordered new Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit to carry out political reforms.

Morocco, the head of state is King Mohammed VI, 47. He has been in power since 1999. 

Kuwait, the head of state is Sheikh Sabah IV Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah since 2006. Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy. Hereditary monarchy, Kuwait could see unrest. 

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South Korea and North Korea hold first military talks since island attack

Military officers from South and North Korea held preliminary talks Tuesday to lay groundwork for a higher-level meeting, officials here said, the first inter-Korean dialogue since the North's deadly bombardment of a South Korean border island.

   The talks at the border truce village of Panmunjom recessed as of 10:54 a.m. after nearly an hour-long morning session, said Kim Min-seok, a spokesman at the South's Defense Ministry. Kim said the two sides resumed the talks at 2 p.m. after having lunch.

   "Both sides have been discussing the agenda and process for a higher-level meeting," Kim said. "The atmosphere was serious, and there were no political arguments from the two sides."

   The colonel-level talks are aimed at setting the date, place and agenda for higher-level talks, possibly at the level of defense ministers.

   But the South's defense ministry said it won't agree to ministerial-level talks unless North Korea apologizes and takes "responsible measures" for the Nov. 23 shelling of Yeonpyeong Island and the torpedo attack of a South Korean warship last March.

   "Our stance has not changed," Kim told reporters earlier in the day. "A higher-level military meeting will be possible only if North Korea takes responsible measures for the attacks on Yeonpyeong Island and the Cheonan warship and promises not to carry out any more provocations."

   The preliminary talks are led by Col. Moon Sang-gyun of the South and Col. Ri Son-kwon of the North, who have served as representatives for working-level military talks from each side for years.

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Cambodia,Thailand reach ceasefire agreement

Thai and Cambodian soldiers have agreed to end ongoing fighting at their disputed border, which erupted Friday while five Thai soldiers reported captured at a coordination point at Keo Sikha Kiri Svara Pagoda have returned from the area, a Thai army spokesman said Saturday.

The five were posted at the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda and were assigned to coordinate with Cambodian soldiers.

Army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the agreement was made following negotiations between Lt Gen Tawatchai Samutsakorn, Second Region Army commander responsible for security affairs in Thailand’s northeastern region, with Cambodia’s Fourth Army commander Lt Gen Chea Mon, held early Saturday.

Besides the ceasefire, both sides also agreed that neither side would reinforce their troops at the border, prevent an “accident” from reoccurring in future and promised to coordinate more closely with an aim to preventing clashes at the ill-defined border from erupting again, Col Sansern said.

Five Thai soldiers who had been detained by Cambodian soldiers while they were stationing at a disputed temple were also freed following the ceasefire talks, he said.

Gen Tawatchai is scheduled to attend a bathing rite ceremony for a Thai soldier who was killed during Saturday’s fighting at a Buddhist temple in the Thai border district of  Kantharalak in Si Sa Ket province later today.

As a goodwill gesture following the ceasefire talks, Gen Tawatchai had ordered the reopening of Chong Jom border point in the northeastern province of Surin. The border point was closed Friday after the clash erupted.

Although the border has reopened, Thai and Cambodian soldiers are still confronting each other in the area and Surin officials have mapped out evacuation plans for Thai villagers in case fighting breaks out. Thai border villagers have been told to monitor the situation closely.

Thai Public Health officials in the region said so far 17 Thais -- 14 soldiers and three civilians -- were wounded from the clashes. Ten of the wounded soldiers had been transported via helicopter to receive treatment at an army hospital in Ubon Ratchathani province.

In the Thai capital of Bangkok, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva held an urgent meeting with several ministers and top security officials at the Government House to assess the situation.

Among those attended the meeting which began at 1pm were Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya, and Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha. 

(MCOT online news)

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“Turkish-Nigerian relations bear strategic importance”

President Gül, during the joint press conference he held with President Jonathan, averred Nigeria to be one of Africa’s linchpins, sharing that there is much to do mutually in terms of the economic relations between Turkey and Nigeria.

President Abdullah Gül along with President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan held a joint press conference on the occasion of the Nigerian President’s  visit to Turkey.

FIRST PRESIDENTIAL VISIT TO TURKEY FROM NIGERIA IN ELEVEN YEARS

President Gül underlined the fact that this is the first presidential visit to Turkey from Nigeria in 11 years, recalling that he had paid the first presidential visit to Nigeria last July.

Drawing attention to the deep-rooted relations between Turkey and Nigeria, where the former has had an embassy since 1960, when the latter gained her independence. Nigeria, he proclaimed, is a country contributing greatly to the resolution process in many issues in the continent, and stated that it is one of Africa’s key countries, pointing out that this country with its rich natural resources is a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). The President further underscored the strategic significance of Turkish-Nigerian relations.

ISSUES TWO PRESIDENTS HAVE DISCUSSED

President Gül, briefing the press that they have reviewed the bilateral relations between Turkey and Nigeria in many areas, evinced that they have displayed their will to augment the economic relations between the two countries. Referring to the almost 1 billion dollars in trade volume between Turkey and Nigeria, where there is great potential to conduct huge projects in terms of infrastructure, industry, energy and defense as well as petrol and gas investments, the President also noted that the two countries are enjoying a great period of cooperation in education as well. He further maintained that they have cultivated a good collaborative relationship within the UN, recalling that Nigeria, conducting the current chairmanship of the D-8, is serving at the UN Security Council (UNSC) after Turkey, which he said is in close cooperation in the Islamic Conference as well.

PRESIDENT JONATHAN: WE AIM TO BOLSTER OUR ECONOMIC RELATIONS

President Jonathan of Nigeria revealed his happiness to be visiting Turkey and informed his audience that he has brought a broad delegation of 10 ministers, 5 state governors, MPs and senior officials as well as scores of businessmen. He further declared that they aim to bolster the bilateral economic relations between Turkey and Nigeria, referring to the technological area in particular, offering his thanks to President Gül for Turkey’s support in education.

AGREEMENTS SIGNED

Prior to the press conference, the following agreements were signed between Turkey and Nigeria:

Agreement on the Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of Investments; Agreement on the Cooperation in Tourism; Agreement on the Cooperation in Higher Education; Agreement on the Cooperation in Military; Cooperation Protocol.

(Presidency of the Republic of Turkey)

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South Korea and North Korea agree to hold working-level military talks on February 8

South and North Korea agreed to hold working-level military talks on Feb. 8, officials said Tuesday, in what would be their first dialogue since the North's deadly artillery attack on a border island last November.

   North Korea sent a notice to the South's defense ministry earlier in the day, proposing the new date for the preliminary talks, and the South accepted it in a reply message, ministry officials said.

   "Both sides also agreed that the working-level military talks will involve colonel-level officers from the two sides," an official said.

   The talks will be held at the border truce village of Panmunjom separating the two Koreas.

   The meeting is aimed at setting the date, place and agenda for higher-level military talks, possibly at the level of defense ministers.

   The preliminary talks are expected to be led by Col. Moon Sang-gyun of the South and Col. Ri Son-kwon of the North, who have served as representatives for working-level military talks from each side for years, the official said on the condition of anonymity.

   Tensions persist on the Korean Peninsula after the North's artillery strike on Yeonpyeong Island killed two marines and two civilians. The bombardment came after a multinational investigation concluded that North Korea torpedoed a South Korean warship, killing 46 sailors last March.

   South Korea had originally suggested that the working-level talks take place on Feb. 11, but North Korea wanted to bring the talks forward by 10 days.

   The agreement on the new date for the preliminary talks came a day after the South rejected the North's demand for an early meeting.

   It was not immediately clear whether the North wanted an earlier date, but officials here said in private that Pyongyang may be trying to increase its bargaining position ahead of the birthday of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il that falls on Feb. 16.

   The South's defense ministry has said it is willing to hold higher-level talks, but only if North Korea apologizes and takes responsibility for the two attacks.

   North Korea has so far denied any involvement in the warship sinking and insists that its artillery attack on Yeonpyeong was legitimate because the South first provoked the North by holding a live-fire drill near the island with some shells falling on the North's side.

   In a TV debate program early Tuesday, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak urged North Korea to seize a "good opportunity" as the two Koreas are preparing for the military talks, expressing expectations that North Korea could have changed its provocative behaviors.

   Asked if a successful military meeting could lead to the resumption of international disarmament talks on the North's nuclear programs and an inter-Korean summit, Lee replied, "(I) can hold a summit (with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il) if necessary."

   "For North Korea, now is a good opportunity to show that it is willing to change. I have high expectations, as North Korea is facing the time for a change," Lee said.

YONHAP

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Jordan king names new PM amid protests

Jordan's Royal Palace says the king has sacked his government in the wake of street protests and has asked an ex-army general to form a new Cabinet.

King Abdullah II of Jordan named Maruf Bakhit as prime minister on Tuesday with orders to carry out "true political reforms," the palace said, after weeks of opposition protests demanding change.

"King Abdullah II designated Maruf Bakhit to form a new government to replace the government of Samir Rifai," a palace statement said.

"Bakhit's mission is to take practical, quick and tangible steps to launch true political reforms, enhance Jordan's democratic drive and ensure safe and decent living for all Jordanians."

Jordan's Islamists

Jordan's powerful opposition Islamic Action Front on Tuesday sharply criticised King Abdullah II's choice of Bakhit as new prime minister, saying he is not a reformist.

Jordan's Islamist opposition said on Monday that it had started a dialogue with the state, saying that unlike the situation in Egypt, it did not seek regime change.

Opposition demands included "the resignation of the government, the amendment of the electoral law and the formation of a national salvation government headed by an elected prime minister," a member of the Islamic Action Front's executive council, Zaki Bani Rsheid, told AFP.

King Abdullah's move comes after thousands of Jordanians took to the streets - inspired by the regime ouster in Tunisia and the turmoil in Egypt - and called for the resignation of Rifai who is blamed for a rise in fuel and food prices and slowed political reforms.

Rifai,43, formed a first government in December 2009, and reshuffled it in November 2010. Bakhit, who was born in 1947, served as prime minister from 2005 to 2007.

He was appointed in 2005, two weeks after a triple suicide bombing against Amman hotels, claimed by Jordanian-born al-Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, killed 60 people.

Opposition demands

Opposition demands included "the resignation of the government, the amendment of the electoral law and the formation of a national salvation government headed by an elected prime minister," Bani Rsheid told AFP then.

Former PM of Jordan, Samir Rifai

The Islamists have also called for constitutional amendments to curb the king's power in naming government heads, arguing that the premiership should go to the leader of the majority in parliament.

The constitution, adopted in 1952, gives the king the exclusive prerogative to appoint and dismiss prime ministers.

Despite recent government measures to pump around $500 million into the economy in a bid to help improve living conditions, protests have been held in Amman and other cities over the past three weeks to demand political and economic reform.

Tunisia's popular revolt, which ousted veteran strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, has inspired dissidents across the Arab world.

Demonstrators have taken to the streets of Egypt for eight straight days calling for President Hosni Mubarak to step down after three decades in power.

Al Arabiya

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