AMMAN - King Abdullah II of Jordan on Sunday tasked Jaafar Hassan with forming a new government, succeeding Bisher Khasawneh, whose resignation was accepted by the king.

Khasawneh's government, which resigned early Sunday, will continue handling day-to-day affairs until the new government is formed and assumes its duties, the state-run Petra news agency reported.

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Hassan has previously served as director of the Office of the King, deputy prime minister and minister of State for Economic Affairs, minister of Planning and International Cooperation.

Khasawneh's government resigned after the parliamentary elections, during which the Islamic Action Front, the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood, won 31 out of 138 seats.

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In a letter appointing Hassan as prime minister, the king directed the government to dedicate all efforts to supporting Palestinians and defending their rights.

"Jordan stands firmly against the war on Gaza and the assaults in the West Bank and Jerusalem. We are working with all our capacity through Arab and international efforts to protect the Palestinian people and halt the blatant violations of humanitarian principles and international law. We will always remain the steadfast ally of our brothers in Palestine," said the king in the letter.

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The king also said the government must work with the House of Representatives to deepen the foundations of democracy and its concepts, and highlighted the importance of continuing the kingdom's prudent financial policies to maintain economic stability and control debt in the face of regional and international challenges.