Jordan's King Abdullah ordered the cabinet Tuesday (January 11th) to pass measures aimed at providing relief for citizens from price hikes, The Jordan Times reported.

Decisions include eliminating a 6% tax on diesel and kerosene and lowering the tax on 90-octane gas from 18% to 12%. The Cabinet agreed to provide extra funds to subsidise basic commodities including sugar and rice. Rice will be reduced by 10%

The government will revise its priorities to accommodate the new measures, said Finance Minister Mohammed Abu Hammour.

"We hope the decisions will have an immediate positive impact on citizens’ living costs," said government spokesman Ayman Safadi.