Souob named transport minister

AMMAN — A Royal Decree issued on Monday approved the appointment of Hussein Al Souob as minister of transport in Prime Minister Hani Mulki’s new government, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Souob, who prior to appointment was managing director of Arab Bridge Maritime company, replaces Malek Haddad, who resigned last Thursday, less than 24 hours after his appointment, because a court ruling had been issued against him in the 1980s.

A Royal Decree was issued last week approving Haddad’s resignation as of September 29.

Haddad was appointed minister last Wednesday and was sworn in on the same day before His Majesty King Abdullah along with a 30-member Cabinet headed by Mulki.

Ministers usually receive a life-time pension regardless of the period of service, but a senior official confirmed to The Jordan Times that Haddad will not be receiving any ministerial title or a pension.

The official said this is due to the fact that Haddad had a court verdict issued against him “although it was a long time ago and despite the fact that he was pardoned”.

The source said the verdict had political implications related to the nature of the crime “that had to do with women’s rights”.

Sources close to Haddad said he received a five-year jail sentence after a court convicted him three decades ago.

Another source told The Jordan Times that a special pardon was issued then in the case.

Haddad worked as director general of Jordan Express Tourist Transportation (JETT) and founded the Tourism Transport Association in 2010.