Jordan's King Abdullah II on Sunday announced that a royal committee had adopted "history-making" amendments to the constitution that would institutionalize political reforms, DPA reported.
The amendments included the setting up of a constitutional court, the supervising of general elections by an independent committee and the trial of cabinet ministers in civil courts, he told a meeting at the royal palace shortly after receiving the panel's recommendations.
The amendments would bring about a "better balance" between the legislature and the executive, he said, and strictly defined the laws by decree that can be issued by the government.
"Jordan is on the threshold of a history-making epoch, where the country can proceed to the future with a social and political reform vision based on larger popular participation and the separation of powers," the king said.
The panel was set up four months back at the height of demonstrations that were inspired by the popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt.
Some pro-democracy groups have demanded a curtailment of the king's powers, particularly the appointment of prime ministers, towards turning the country into a "constitutional monarchy."