Israel National News: King Abdullah of Jordan has assigned Dr. Jafar Hassan, a leading aide of his, to form a new government as Prime Minister after the current cabinet, led by Bisher Khasawneh, resigned just following elections for the kingdom's parliament.

Hassan is a Harvard graduate and is considered a widely respected technocrat in his country. He has held several positions, including Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of State for Economic Affairs, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, and Director of the Office of His Majesty King Abdullah II. He is the author of the book: The Jordanian Political Economy - Building in the Womb of Crises.

Khasawneh will stay on in a caretaker capacity until the formation of a new cabinet, a statement by the kingdom said.