King Abdullah to implement major internal reform

King Abdullah II said there will be amendments to several laws and legislation and gradually get rid of bureaucracy which hinders the progress of society and economic growth which we have put as a national priority.

Jordan's Petra quoted the king in an interview with the London-based magazine, Alwasat to be published on Monday.

The king told Alwasat, on the economic situation in Jordan, that Jordan has started steady steps to achieve self-reliance and maximize the potential of Jordanians by amending laws to conform with our openness and removing all obstacles hindering Arab and foreign investments in Jordan.

The king told Alwasat "We have also started to move with our economy towards privatization, and indeed privatized some companies through international investments in cement, phosphate, communications and transport sectors. Economic improvement does not happen overnight."

Petra quoted the king as saying in the interview that the election law was not as bad as some had suggested and that "the matter is now in front of the government, parliament and political spectrum to come out with the proper formula that achieves justice and conforms with democracy and political pluralism adopted by Jordan."

Regarding the Press and Publication Law, the king said "we have just finished putting a modern Press and Publication Law which conforms with Jordan's democratic approach, protection of press liberties, different views and media openness without any restrictions or obstacles. Jordanian press people have taken part in formulating the draft of this law. Jordan's local press writes on any issue without restrictions or control and there is no control over international newspapers entering Jordan."