H.E. Dr. Bisher Al Khasawneh

In August of 1920, the British high commissioner delegated a number of British officials to East Jordan to assist in establishing the emirate under the British Mandate. The country at the time witnessed the establishment of three separate governments: in Ajloun, Amman and Salt, and Kerak. In June of 1920, a number of leaders in Jordan cabled Al-Sharif Hussein in Mecca asking him to delegate one of his sons to Jordan to lead the movement to liberate Syria from the French occupation. The prince continued his journey until he reached Amman on March 2, 1921. His arrival marked an important turning point in the history of Jordan because with it, he saved Jordan from falling into the Jewish national homeland policy that was announced under the Balfour Declaration in November of 1917. Since the establishment of the first Jordanian government, the prince had in mind for the people to elect their own representatives in a legislative council that would assist the prince and the government in steering the country’s helm, but that was not possible until Britain recognized Jordan’s independence. Immediately after Britain recognized the independence of East Jordan, His Highness Prince Abdullah began to prepare plans to finalise the constitutional elements of the Emirate of East Jordan’s institutions. A preparatory committee consisting of scholars, leaders, and legislators was also established to draft the constitution. On April 11, 1921, Mr. Rasheed Tulei formed the first government. Eighteen governments were formed in the period of the Emirate of East Jordan. On May 25, 1946, negotiations resulted in the ending of the British Mandate and the recognition of the independence of East Jordan, upon which the Emirate of East Jordan became the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. King Abdullah II Ibn Al-Hussein was handed over constitutional powers on February 7, 1999. The first government during his reign was formed by Abdul-Ra’ouf Al-Rawabdeh on March 16, 1999.