Jordan’s king swears in new cabinet

AMMAN (AP) ― Jordan’s royal palace says King Abdullah II has sworn in a new cabinet led for the first time by a prime minister elected by lawmakers.

Earlier this month, Jordan’s new parliament chose Abdullah Ensour to head the new government.

Ensour previously served as a caretaker prime minister in the run-up to the January parliamentary elections, which were billed as the centerpiece of Abdullah’s political reform program.

The reforms granted parliament the power for the first time to pick a premier. The task was previously the king’s prerogative.

Abdullah has vowed a gradual transfer of some of his powers to parliament.

In the cabinet sworn in on Saturday, the defense, interior, finance and foreign ministries are headed by veteran politicians.

The cabinet must still win a parliamentary vote of confidence.