International Court of Justice judge Awn Khasawneh was named as Prime Minister by King Abdullah II on Monday. He replaces Maaruf Bakhit, whose government has been accused of failing to meet growing demands for reforms, a government official said.

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"Khasawneh is currently meeting with the king, who entrusted him to form the new government," he said. The appointment follows the resignation earlier Monday of Bakhit, who was appointed in February, at the request of the monarch.

Sources close to Khasawneh, 61, who has been a member of The Hague-based court since 2000, said the judge had "asked for guarantees that he fully assumes the prerogatives of prime minister as stipulated in the constitution."

Change in top state posts
Parliament is in recess, but more than 60 MPs on Sunday signed a letter to the king, criticising the work of Bakhit. The document has not been made public.

The king also appointed Major-General Feisal Shobaki as intelligence chief, replacing Mohamad Raqqad, who has held the position since 2008.

In August, the king held meetings with various Jordanian groups and spoke of a "tsunami" to enhance his reform drive, according to those who attended the gatherings. Sources say the king will not spare the royal palace and the security departments.

Jordan has been the scene of protests since January to demand sweeping economic and political reform.

(Source: AFA)