Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-04-15

Named Jordan
New premier
King Hussein Scores
Victory in Crisis as
KhoIidi Is Picked

AMMAN. April is (R.-Hus-
sein" Fakhri Khalidi, a pro.
Western political leader, was
named Jordan's new Premier to-
day. This was a victory for
King Hussein in a six-day -olo
cabinet crisis.
The 7-man cabinet includes
Suleiman Nabulsi. the leftwine
National Socialist Party leader
dismissed as Premier last Wed
nesday.
dispatches from Amman
are under censorship. Earlier
advices reaching Damascus
pictured Hussein as gaining
steadily in bold struggle to
purge pro-Egyptian leaders
from Jordan's army and po-
litical life. Yesterday Hussein
exiled the Jordan army's pro-
Egyptian chief of staff. De-
spite this, the major elements
of the Jordan army were APP
parently behind the King.)
Bahjat Talhouni, chief of the
royal cabinet. confirmed that the
new government had been
formed.
Tense for Several Days
Tension has gripped Jordan
during the past few days of the
crisis. But it was generally
hoped that the country will re-
turn TO normal.
The cabinet was topheavy
with independents. Besides Mr.
Khalidi. who is an independent
the new government will have
five other independents and one
National Socialist.
Appointment Of Mr.. Nabulsi
was apparently with the support
of the strong National Socialist
Party, which controls Is seats In
Parliament.
Other members OF the cabinet
are former Premiers Said Mutt
and Fawzi Mulki: Suleiman Suk-
kar. former leader Of the Jor-
danian Senate; DR.. Amin Madjaj
and Maid Abdulhadi.
Formation Is Surprise
Mr.. Khalidi's success at form
ing a government came as q
surprise. Last official informa-
ton given out earlier today re-
ported that Mr.. Mufti was still
trying to set up a cabinet.
Agreement apparently was
reached at a top level meeting
called at the palace at noon. All
former premiers of Jordan, all
members Of the Senate and
some deputies attended.
Mr.. Khalidi was the first can.
didate asked by the monarch tc
form a new government but hi
failed after two days and apollo.
gized to the King.
Hussein emerged from the
crisis with greater statur,
than ever. Mr.. Khalidi is a Pal
estine refugee. This is important
since Palestinians form NOR
than a third of the population.
Besides Mr.. Khalidi, four OF
the new cabinet officers have
served as premiers. some Of then
several times.
Set OF by Doctrine
The Eisenhower doctrine fol
the Middle East actually set of
the crisis. Then it developed into
"a struggle for power between ex.
.tremists and moderates.
In a letter to Mr.. Mufti earlier
today. the king said: I'VE feel
as we ask you to form a nationa
government to bear the respon.
sibilities and national burdens
that you are fully aware of thu
critical circumstance through
which the country is passing
after we have been fully liberated
from all material and moral en-,
tanglements."
The censorship imposed yester.
day continued today on all out.
going cables and photographs
Security precautions were taker
In Amman.
cThe censorship apparently
was blocking all information
from Amman about the strug-
gle for control of Jordan's army
and about rioting. The Jordan
Embassy in Damascus called
misleading rumors" the re-
See JORDAN. Page Al
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