A handout picture released by the Jordanian Royal Palace on October 12, 2020, shows Bisher al-Khasawneh being sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Jordan, in the capital Amman. (YOUSEF ALLAN / JORDANIAN ROYAL PALACE / AFP)

AMMAN - Jordanian Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh and members of his cabinet were sworn in on Monday before King Abdullah II of Jordan, the state-run Petra news agency reported.

Khasawneh, a veteran diplomat and former advisor to the king for policies, media, and coordination, was appointed after former Prime Minister Omar Razzaz and his council of ministers resigned earlier this month.

The new cabinet sees the entry of new ministers of the interior, health and transport, while ministers of foreign affairs, finance, and culture keep their portfolios

The new cabinet sees the entry of new ministers of the interior, health and transport, while ministers of foreign affairs, finance, and culture keep their portfolios.

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Among the new cabinet, Ayman Safadi was appointed as deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, Umayyah Touqan was appointed as deputy prime minister for economic affairs and Tawfiq Krishan was appointed as deputy prime minister for local administration affairs.

In a letter to the new prime minister on Oct 7, the king said the process of cabinet formation comes amid the COVID-19 spread, stressing that citizens' health and wellbeing is the top priority, which demands that the government continues to take all carefully studied measures to deal with the pandemic, in a manner that balances healthcare considerations with operating economic sectors and safeguarding citizens' livelihoods.

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