Unrest is spreading like wildfire through the repressive regimes of the Middle East; now Jordan’s King Abdullah has dismissed his cabinet.

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Jordan’s King Abdullah II fired his government Tuesday in the wake of street protests and asked an ex-prime minister to form a new Cabinet, ordering him to launch immediate political reforms.

The dismissal follows several large protests across Jordan— inspired by similar demonstrations in Tunisia and Egypt — calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Samir Rifai, who is blamed for a rise in fuel and food prices and slowed political reforms.