Jordan's King Abdullah on Tuesday ordered the government to start drafting a modern election law that would advance the democracy a day after a sudden move to dissolve parliament.

The king issued an edict on Monday ordering the dissolution effective Tuesday of what is widely considered a rubber-stamp assembly composed of 110 lawmakers, mainly tribal loyalists.

No reason was given for the decision, but the assembly had been accused of inept handling of legislation and obstructing free market reforms crucial to spur the stagnant economy.

King Abdullah was quoted as instructing Prime Minister Nader Dahabi in a letter circulated by the royal palace to "begin immediate preparations for holding these elections that would be a model for transparency and justice."

The government has four months to declare new elections but lawmakers say the constitution allows the king to delay them.

Previous elections have been contested under an electoral law that left intact a voting system that favours tribal East Bank constituencies over the largely Palestinian populated cities, which are Islamic strongholds and highly politicised.

The king avoided citing any voting system but stressed "polls should allow all Jordanians to exercise their right to stand for elections and elect their representatives."

The political empowerment of Jordanians of Palestinian origin is a sensitive issue in a country with a population of six million, many of whom are of Palestinian origin.

King Abdullah has faced stiff resistance from a traditional establishment bent on preserving a broad patronage system and worried about his drive to modernise a tribally structured society.

Constitutionally, most powers rest with the king, who appoints governments and approves legislation.

Official sources said the king was also expected to either change the government or accept a major reshuffle in Dahabi's cabinet shortly after the end of a week long Muslim Eid holiday that begins on Thursday.

This would herald a wider government shake-up to ward off popular disenchantment over economic contraction after years of growth, and allegations of official graft.

Reuters