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Pressure Builds Under Jordan's King

(Washington Post)- Four years after the death of his father, King Abdullah faces mounting pressure from powerful tribal leaders who are skeptical of a style they see as aloof and a perspective they believe is grounded in Abdullah's British and American education. Moderate Islamic leaders, once allies of the government, are incensed at being shut out of power. Even liberal, secular forces that might embrace the king's Western orientation and ambitious economic reforms are frustrated. Abdullah has eschewed Hussein's fondness for dressing in Bedouin garb and sitting with tribal sheiks. He speaks far less about the venerated position of his family, the Hashemites, who descend from the prophet Muhammad. Rather, Abdullah stresses a Jordanian nationalism defined by the slogan, "Jordan First."
2003-02-05 00:00:00
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