Awn Shawkat Al-Khasawneh

86
Awn Shawkat Al-Khasawneh bigraphy, stories - Prime Minister of Jordan

Awn Shawkat Al-Khasawneh : biography

22 February 1950 –

Awn Shawkat Al-Khasawneh () (born 22 February 1950) was the prime minister of Jordan from October 2011 to April 2012. He was also formerly a judge of the International Court of Justice.

Career

From 1980 until 1990, Khasawneh held senior legal posts in the Jordanian ministry of foreign affairs. From 1991 to 1994, he was legal adviser to the Jordanian delegation to the peace negotiations between Israel and Jordan.

In 1995, Khasawneh became adviser to the King Hussein and adviser of the State on international law with the rank of cabinet minister. He was appointed chief of the Royal Hashemite Court from 1996 to 1998. Khasawneh has also been a member of numerous international law bodies during his career.

On 17 October 2011, he was appointed by King Abdullah II as prime minister of Jordan, replacing Marouf al-Bakhit (who had been accused of corruption during an earlier tenure as prime minister). The Guardian reported that Khasawneh has a reputation as a clean politician and is a noted legal expert.

On 26 April 2012, Khasawneh submitted his resignation to King Abdullah, who, in turn, accepted the resignation. Fayez al-Tarawneh succeeded Khasawneh as prime minister.

Honours

Order of Independence (Jordan), First Class (1993); Kawkab Order, First Class (1996); Nahda Order, First Class (1996) (Jordan). Légion d’Honneur, Grand Officier (1997) (France) International Jurists Award, 2009.

Early life and education

Khasawneh was born in Amman on 22 February 1950. He received his university education at Queens’ College in England, where he attained a bachelor’s degree in history and law. He also received a master’s degree in international law.