The World - News from April 5, 1985

King Hussein accepted the resignation of Jordan’s government, and a new Cabinet led by Zaid Rifai as prime minister was sworn in. Rifai, who will also be defense minister, replaces Prime Minister Ahmed Obeidat. A number of key officials kept their posts, including the foreign and finance ministers. Rifai, a childhood friend of Hussein’s, is generally believed to be in favor of improved relations with Syria, which has been opposed to Jordanian and Palestine Liberation Organization efforts to get new peace talks started in the Mideast.