Jordan in talks with MPs to choose PM

Jordan's King Abdallah yesterday tasked his chief of staff to begin consultations with newly elected MPs on a "new mechanism" to choose the next prime minister as part of a democratization drive. "The king has entrusted royal court chief Fayez Tarawneh to begin consultations with the lower house of Parliament as a new mechanism to choose the prime minster and launch the experiment of parliamentary governments," a palace statement said. "Tarawneh will meet with parliamentary blocs and independents before conveying their viewpoints to the king in a transparent, neutral and accurate manner." So far, six blocs grouping 131 MPs have been formed in the 150-seat lower house, dominated by tribal leaders, pro-regime loyalists and independent businessmen. From Arabnews