Amman: Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh mourned the passing of former Prime Minister Zaid Rifai, four-time prime minister during the reign of His Late Majesty King Hussein bin Talal. Rifai served as Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense 1973-1985, President of the Senate for five terms 1997-2009, member of the Senate for six terms 1978-1997, political advisor to His Majesty King Abdullah II, Jordanian Ambassador to Britain in 1971, Royal Court Chief, private secretary of His Majesty, Royal Court Secretary-General and head of royal protocol in 1964. Rifai retired from politics in 2009, after his son, Samir Rifai, was named prime minister. He received decorations, including the Independence Medal, First Class, Planet Medal, First Class, Renaissance Medal, First Class, Studded Renaissance Medal and many Arab and international accolades. Rifai was born in Amman in 1936. He holds a bachelor's degree from Harvard University and a master's in law and international relations from Columbia Unive rsity. Khasawneh offered condolences to the Rifai family. Source: Jordan News Agency