Jordan parliament re-elects Speaker

AMMAN, Jordan (Reuters) -- Jordan's lower house of parliament re-elected Abdul Hadi al-Majali Speaker for a third year in a row on Saturday, officials said.

Majali, a tribal elder from the southern city of Karak, is a former police chief and ambassador to Washington.

Earlier on Saturday, Abdullah urged deputies in a speech to work to enhance democratic practices. Parliamentary elections are due in mid-2001.

The powerful Islamic opposition boycotted parliament for the first time in the last general elections in 1997 in a protest at a voting system they say is tilted against them and serves pro-government tribal leaders.

Abdullah also urged the international community to help Palestinians win their national rights.

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