AMMAN, Jordan - King Abdullah II blamed his resigning prime minister Thursday for failing to push hard enough for reforms, reflecting frustration on all sides over demands for power-sharing and fair representation in Parliament.
In a letter to Awn al-Khasawneh, Abdullah complained that “achievements so far are far less than what is required and way below what we expected.’’
The king appeared to come down on the side of those pushing for swift moves toward a greater say in politics and improved economic conditions in resource-scanty Jordan, which depends on US aid to keep its economy afloat.
Khasawneh was replaced by Fayez Tarawneh, a veteran politician known to be close to the king. He served as prime minister more than a decade ago, when Abdullah assumed power.
The sudden switchover indicated that public pressure may be having some effect.
Jordanian protesters demanding political reforms have been taking to the streets sporadically for the past 15 months, though in smaller numbers than elsewhere in the Arab world, where popular uprisings toppled longtime rulers Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, and Yemen.