United States renews commitment to Jordan after Egyptian uprising

Feb 13, 2011, 19:07 GMT

Amman - The United States on Sunday assured Jordan of its long-term backing, according to the US embassy, in the wake of the Egyptian uprising that toppled President Hosny Mubarak's regime.

That message was relayed to King Abdullah II and Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit by US Assistant Secretary of State William Burns, who wound up a two-day visit to Jordan on Sunday.

Burns had 'emphasized the strong, long-term American commitment to the wellbeing of Jordan, with whom the United States has worked in partnership for many decades in pursuit of peace and prosperity,' the embassy said.

The US official also expressed Washington's support for Jordan's recent reaffirmation of an 'ambitious modernization agenda for sustained, serious and comprehensive programme of political and economic reforms.'

King Abdullah fired prime minister Samir Rifai and his government at the beginning of February after a series of nationwide anti- government protests.

He appointed Bakhit to replace Rifai and assigned him the duty of conducting 'real political and economic reforms.'

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