New PM vows ‘full openness’

AMMAN — Prime Minister Bisher Al Khasawneh on Monday stressed that the government's approach will be based on “full openness to media outlets, full honesty and true reality and objectivity with Jordanians”. 

In press remarks following the swearing in ceremony before His Majesty King Abdullah, Khasawneh said that "we will not seek to achieve popularity while addressing the Jordanian citizen", adding that the government will make all decisions, even if they are "painful", to protect the homeland and improve the living conditions of citizens. 

The prime minister also said that the government is  “honoured” to gain the confidence of His Majesty to lead the nation during these exceptional circumstances, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

He also said that the first Cabinet session, held on Monday afternoon, reviewed the basic features mentioned in the Letter of Designation and the government's reply to the letter that identified the main tasks of the government.

The top task is to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic through “striking a balance” between preserving public health and protecting the economic sectors so as to spare the national economy any damages and ensure that unemployment rates do not go higher, the premier noted.

He also said that the ministers, during the session and following Royal directives, decided to choose a medical figure from the Ministry of Health to run the COVID-19 issue, adding that the ministry is also tasked with enhancing and developing the institutional capabilities of the entire health sector.