Jordan's king declares all-out war against Islamic militancy

Jordan's King Abdullah II appointed his national security adviser as the new prime minister Thursday, giving him a mandate to launch an all-out war against Islamic militancy in the wake of this month's triple hotel blasts.

In a designation letter to newly appointed Prime Minister Marouf al-Bakhit, Abdullah said the Nov. 9 attacks "increase our determination to stick to our reform and democratization process, which is irreversible."

"At the same time, it reaffirms our need to adopt a comprehensive strategy to confront the Takfiri culture," Abdullah said, referring to the ideology adopted by al-Qaida and other militants who condone the killing of those they consider infidels.

Abdullah said the strategy should "not only deal with the security dimension, but also the ideological, cultural and political spheres to confront those who chose the path of destruction and sabotage to reach their goals."

The king called for a "relentless war on all the Takfiri schools, which embrace extremism, backwardness, isolation and darkness and are fed on the ignorance and naivety of simple people."

Abdullah also called for a new anti-terrorism law to replace the current, general one that does not specify punishment for different terrorist acts and their perpetrators.

The appointment of a new premier came after Prime Minister Adnan Badran, 69, resigned earlier Thursday.

A new Cabinet is likely to be named Sunday and would be sworn in the same day, the AP reports.

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