<p>In her 15 minute call, Clinton indicated that US looks forward to working with the new Jordanian Prime Minister and his cabinet. Following protests, the King had sacked the government of Samir Rifai and named Maruf Bakhit, a career soldier and former premier, as the new Prime Minister.<br /><br />"We are eager to continue to support Jordan during these difficult times. The Secretary noted in the call that we appreciate the example that Jordan has set in allowing freedom of expression during recent protests," State Department spokesman P J Crowley said.<br /><br />US will support Jordan's efforts to undertake political and economic reform, Crowley said. "The Secretary said recently following her bilateral meeting with (the Jordanian) Foreign Minister Judeh, we have a very important programme of economic assistance to Jordan. That's going to continue. So we will continue to work with Jordan to see how we can support, you know, these reform efforts," he said.<br /><br />Observing that Jordan is a significant partner in the Arab region, he said King Abdullah, just like his father King Hussein and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, has been a strong supporter and participant in the efforts to pursue peace in Middle East.<br /><br />"Notwithstanding the ongoing change or transformation that may be occurring across the region, our interests remain the same. And it is our interests that guide our relationship. We have a very strong relationship with King Abdullah.<br /><br />"We will look forward to working with his new cabinet, but we have this strong partnership because we have many shared interests," the spokesman said.<br /><br />Crowley said the Jordan King recognises the importance of increasing demand across the region for political and economic reform. "He's doing his best to respond to this growing aspiration. We appreciate the leadership that he's shown. But clearly for all countries in the region words have to be followed by decisive action."</p>
<p>In her 15 minute call, Clinton indicated that US looks forward to working with the new Jordanian Prime Minister and his cabinet. Following protests, the King had sacked the government of Samir Rifai and named Maruf Bakhit, a career soldier and former premier, as the new Prime Minister.<br /><br />"We are eager to continue to support Jordan during these difficult times. The Secretary noted in the call that we appreciate the example that Jordan has set in allowing freedom of expression during recent protests," State Department spokesman P J Crowley said.<br /><br />US will support Jordan's efforts to undertake political and economic reform, Crowley said. "The Secretary said recently following her bilateral meeting with (the Jordanian) Foreign Minister Judeh, we have a very important programme of economic assistance to Jordan. That's going to continue. So we will continue to work with Jordan to see how we can support, you know, these reform efforts," he said.<br /><br />Observing that Jordan is a significant partner in the Arab region, he said King Abdullah, just like his father King Hussein and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, has been a strong supporter and participant in the efforts to pursue peace in Middle East.<br /><br />"Notwithstanding the ongoing change or transformation that may be occurring across the region, our interests remain the same. And it is our interests that guide our relationship. We have a very strong relationship with King Abdullah.<br /><br />"We will look forward to working with his new cabinet, but we have this strong partnership because we have many shared interests," the spokesman said.<br /><br />Crowley said the Jordan King recognises the importance of increasing demand across the region for political and economic reform. "He's doing his best to respond to this growing aspiration. We appreciate the leadership that he's shown. But clearly for all countries in the region words have to be followed by decisive action."</p>