Cabinet reshuffles

In March, a Cabinet reshuffle saw five new ministers, including two women, joining the government, while four others left their posts. This was the second reshuffle in Ensour’s government who assumed the premier’s post in October 2012. March’s reshuffle saw the appointment of Minister of Education Mohammad Thneibat and Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh as deputies for prime minister in addition to their posts

The ministers who joined the government in March were Imad Fakhoury as minister of planning and international cooperation, Nayef Al Fayez as minister of tourism and antiquities, Maha Ali as minister of industry, trade and supply, Labib Khadra as minister of higher education and scientific research, and Majd Shweikeh as minister of information and communications technology

In May, a Royal Decree was issued, appointing Salameh Hammad as minister of interior, and another Royal Decree was issued accepting the resignation of interior minister Hussein Majali and referring to retirement Public Security Department Director Gen. Tawfiq Tawalbeh and Gendarmerie Department Director Maj. Gen. Ahmad Sweilmin 

In November, a Royal Decree was issued approving a minor reshuffle in Ensour’s government under which Omar Zuhair Malhas was appointed as finance minister and Ayman Hatahet as transport minister, replacing Umayya Toukan and Lina Shbeeb, respectively