King Abdullah

Jordan's King Abdullah has dissolved parliament halfway through its four-year term and called for early elections, state television reported on Monday.

The king issued a royal edict ordering the dissolution effective Tuesday of what is widely considered a rubber-stamp assembly composed of 110 lawmakers, mainly tribal loyalists, it said.

No reason was given for the king's sudden decision, but the assembly had been accused of inept handling of legislation and there had been speculation it might be dissolved.

Constitutionally, most powers rest with the king, who appoints governments and approves legislation.

Liberal politicians say the move could herald a wider government shake-up to ward off popular disenchantment over economic contraction after years of growth, and allegations of official graft.

Parliament was elected in November 2007 under a controversial electoral law that reduced the representation of the largely Palestinian-dominated cities, which are Islamic strongholds, in favour of rural and Bedouin areas.

Successive governments have sidelined parliament and eroded the democratic gains made since 1989.

The government has four months to declare new elections but lawmakers say the constitution allows the king to delay them. – Reuters