Royal Court Minister Faisal Fayez is likely to be appointed as successor to Prime Minister Ali Abu Ragheb, a source close to the Royal Court told local daily the Jordan Times on 21 October. Ragheb, who on 20 October offered his resignation to King Abdullah, has been criticised by opposition parties for the poorly performing economy and not speeding up political reform. Fayez, who is 51, was educated in the UK and graduated from Boston University. Prior to his appointment as Royal Court Minister in March 2003, he served as royal protocol chief (MEED 21:7:03).