AMMAN, April 5 (Xinhuanet) -- Jordanian King Abdullah II on Tuesday called upon newly-named Prime Minister Adnan Badran to form a cabinet to push forward reforms.

    In the letter of appointment, King Abdullah called upon the new government headed by Badran to accelerate the pace of reforms and institutionalize the political, economic and social reform process.

    Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Faisal al-Fayez submitted his resignation and King Abdullah then appointed Badran, an academic, as the new cabinet head.

    Fayez was appointed as chief of the Royal Court.

    The move came as part of the king's efforts to press ahead with political and economic reforms in the country, said official sources.

    Reforms mean "eradicating poverty and unemployment, improving living standards and raising income," the king said in the letter.

    The reforms should also "cover the political, judicial and media fields as well as freedom of speech," he added.

    Abdullah also reiterated Jordan's commitment to its Arab roots, pledging to maintain "constructive and equal relations with all Arab brethren countries."

    Before the appointment, Badran was Jordan's minister of higher education and assistant director of the United Nations Educational,Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

    Fayez was appointed as Jordan's prime minister on Oct. 25, 2003.

    His cabinet was reshuffled last October. Enditem