Jordan’s King Abdullah II approved on Thursday a cabinet reshuffle that will address economic concerns in the Kingdom. Prime Minister Omar Razzaz announced the appointment of eight new ministers Thursday. The reshuffle saw former interior minister Salameh Hammad return to the position after a two-year hiatus. Mohamad Ississ, former economic affairs adviser to the king, was appointed minister of planning and international cooperation and minister of state for economic affairs. Nidal Bataineh was appointed labor minister, replacing Samir Murad. The health portfolio was meanwhile passed from Ghazi al-Zabin to Saad Jaber. Sami Daoud was named minister of state for prime minister affairs, while Yasera Ghosheh was appointed minister of state for institutional performance development. Names were changed for two portfolios, with Walid Masris ministry of municipal affairs becoming the ministry of local administration. The ministry of communications and information technology, held by Mothanna Gharaibeh, was changed to the ministry of digital economy and leadership. State-run media reported the reshuffle would try to tackle economic challenges that have mounted in the wake of neighboring Syrias war. Jordan hosts some 1.3 million refugees who have been displaced by the conflict. Thursdays reshuffle is the third since Razzaz replaced Hani al-Mulki as prime minister amid nationwide protests against proposed tax increases and price hikes.