By Hani Hazaimeh

AMMAN - The government is committed to maintaining open channels of dialogue with the press including emerging electronic media outlets, a senior government official said on Tuesday.

"Prime Minister Nader Dahabi's meetings with various representatives, particularly the electronic media, reflect the government’s conviction of the importance of these news websites," Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications Nabil Sharif said yesterday.

He added that online news adds a new element to the media sector by allowing for immediate interaction between readers over news posted on the Internet, stressing that the government has no intention of issuing any legislation hindering freedom of the press.

"The government believes in press freedoms provided they are carried out with a sense of responsibility," Sharif told reporters following the weekly Cabinet meeting, pointing out that media outlets themselves should regulate the sector.

Responding to a question on the US decision to withdraw the bulk of its troops stationed in Iraq by late 2010, Sharif said the government accepts whatever developments the Iraqi government approves.

Meanwhile, Sharif said the Cabinet decided to amend the retirement formula for public sector physicians.

Based on the new amendment, a JD120 monthly personal allowance will be added to pensions of eligible doctors and dentists, provided that JD10 is added for each year above the minimum retirement years in service, he noted.