Jordanians renew call for premier ouster

Jordanian protesters at the central square on March 25, 2011 in Amman, Jordan, Getty Images

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/171747.html

The opposition to Jordan's government has renewed calls for the ouster of Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit amid violent crackdown on protesters which has left two people dead and many others injured.

"We demand the prime minister and intelligence chief [Mohammed Raqqad] quit," Firas Mahadin of the Youth of March 24 Movement stated at a news conference on Saturday.

"We have reached a point of no return," AFP quoted him as saying.

The leader of Islamic Action Front, the main opposition party, went on to say that the regime has carried out "crimes against humanity."

Trade unionists along with opposition politicians have joined the youth movement.

The opposition began a protest camp at the Interior Circle in Gamal Abdel Nasser Square in the capital Amman on Thursday, March 24.

Their camp was attacked by around 200 pro-regime loyalists, who assaulted protesters with rocks and stones, on Thursday night. The loyalists then raided the camp after police cut the power supply to the square, killing two and injuring at least 130 others, three of them remain in critical condition.

Riot police arrested several protesters and used water cannons to break up the camp on Friday.

Police chief Hussein Majali said a protester -- 55-year-old Khairy Saad Jamil -- has died of a heart attack. Jamil's son, however, insists that his father had suffered several blows to his body. The family now refuses to bury Jamil until Interior Minister Saad Srur quits and security officials are fired.

Srur, who accuses the opposition of seeking to create chaos in the country, says an investigation has been launched to determine who's responsible for the violence.

Friday's unrest in Amman was the second of its kind since protests erupted in the country three months ago. Jordan's opposition wants political reforms including those that would strip King Abdullah II of some of his powers, specifically in appointing the prime minister.

Jordan's king, who has already offered a series of concessions to end the protests, has reportedly called for an early election by the end of 2011.

Jordan loyalists attack student protest

Jordanian anti-government protesters in Amman, January 21

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/171548.html

Several young Jordanian protesters have been hospitalized after government loyalists attacked their protest camp in the capital Amman on Friday.

Witnesses say security forces stood by and did not intervene as demonstrators were attacked, AFP reported.

Around 500 students were camping next to Gamal Abdel Nasser Square in the capital when the government loyalist assaulted them on Friday.

At least 35 people were injured when security forces and supporters of King Abdullah II cracked down on the crowd.

Police spokesman Mohamad Khatib claimed he was not aware of any casualties.

At nightfall, police had tried to disperse the crowd by cutting off electricity to the square.

Protesters say they will continue with street protests until their demands are met.

Thursday's protest saw the most violence since the demonstrations began three months ago.

The Jordanian Youth Movement used Facebook to organize the protest camp. The group has now reportedly changed its name to Youth of March 24 to mark the beginning of an open-ended demonstration at the main square.

"Today is the dawning of the Jordanian revolution,'' said group spokesman Ziad al-Khawaldeh. "We will not move an inch from here until our demands are met,'' he added.

Jordanians have held protest rallies since January, demanding reforms. They are calling for the dissolution of parliament and constitutional amendments.

Their demands include the ouster of newly-appointed Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit and the prosecution of officials accused of corruption and nepotism.

Jordan's opposition also wants to strip the king of some of his powers, specifically in appointing the prime minister.

Jordan's king, who has already offered a series of concessions to end the protests, has reportedly called for an early election by the end of 2011.

Jordan protesters attacked in capital

Jordanian protesters hold flags and banners during a demonstration organized by a group called itself March 24th Youth Movement in Jordanian capital of Amman, on March 24, 2011

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/171544.html

In Jordan, government loyalists have attacked protesters in the capital Amman leaving several demonstrators injured.

Witnesses say security forces stood by as demonstrators were attacked, AFP reported.

Around 2,000 Jordanians gathered for a protest camp at the Interior Circle of Jamal Abdul Nasser Square in Amman, following demonstrations held in the city on Thursday.

At least 35 people were injured when security forces and supporters of King Abdullah II cracked down on the crowd.

Thursday's protest saw the most violence since the demonstrations began three months ago.

The Jordanian Youth Movement used Facebook to organize the protest camp. The group has now reportedly changed its name to Youth of March 24 to mark the beginning of an open-ended demonstration at the main square.

“Today is the dawning of the Jordanian revolution,'' said group spokesman Ziad al-Khawaldeh. “We will not move an inch from here until our demands are met,'' he added.

Jordanians have held protest rallies since January demanding reforms. They are calling for the dissolution of parliament and constitutional amendments.

Their demands include the ouster of newly-appointed Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit and the prosecution of officials accused of corruption and nepotism.

Jordan's opposition also wants to strip the king of some of his powers, specifically in appointing the prime minister.

Jordan's king, who has already offered a series of concessions to end the protests, has reportedly called for an early election by the end of 2011.

Jordanians demand constitutional monarchy

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/168398.html

Amidst the uprisings occurring in the Egypt, Tunisia, and other Middle Eastern countries Jordan is no different. Jordanians have gathered outside al-Husseini mosque for the past few weeks asking for a constitutional monarchy, and so far there are no signs that it will discontinue.

The Jordanians on the streets are demanding the authorities to resolve several fundamental issues, the main one being the rising cost of living that is tantamount to rising poverty. But what changes are to occur?

One of the many organizations pushing for reform is the Teachers’ Association, they are asking for the government to allow their Association to become an official Union. We asked the head of the Amman District Teachers’ Association if there has been any progress regarding their struggle.

Yet as small changes as this might become more widespread many Jordanians remain unsatisfied by token gestures of reform.

So far it seems that political and social changes have encouraged some minor progress in the political status of Jordan. However, the protests in central Amman in the past 10 weeks have shown that the Jordanian people would like to see more substantial changes.

Jordan holds largest pro-democracy rally

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/167009.html

Several thousands of Jordanians have taken to the streets of the capital city, Amman, calling for immediate political and economic reforms.

The protest rally organized by the Islamic Action Front (IAF), the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan, and 19 other political parties is believed to be the largest pro-democracy demonstration in Jordan since January.

The protest rally began following the Friday Prayers. Around 3,000 security personnel were deployed across central Amman on Friday, which was dubbed the "Day of Anger".

Jordanian officials say police officers were deployed to protect the rally and to prevent clashes between pro-democracy protesters and pro-government activists.

Protesters, estimated to be over 10,000 in number according to IAF, have called for an elected government, constitutional reforms and the dissolution of the parliament. At present, King Abdullah appoints and dismisses the prime minister.

"We are demonstrating today against the official bullying and to demand reforms. We seek regime reforms. We want a true parliamentary monarchy. The monarchy should not dominate parliament," leading trade unionist Maisara Malas told AFP.

"Reforms have become a necessity that cannot be delayed. We want immediate constitutional change to help create productive governments and a truly representative parliament. These are the demands of all Jordanians,” Hamzah Mansur, chief of IAF told the crowds.

"Aim of this protest is to have constitutional changes to bring elected government and elected parliament that forms government as well as constitutional court. We also want the departure of this government and parliament to lead to constitutional monarchy," said senior leader of the Muslim Brotherhood Salem Falahat.

Meanwhile, the supporters of the royal family have also gathered in the heart of the capital to protest against opposition demonstrators.

In early February, after week of pro-democracy protests across Jordan, King Abdullah sacked Prime Minister Samir Rifai over the slow pace of reforms and appointed Marouf al-Bakhit as Jordan's new premier.

Bakhit has promised to follow instructions given by the king and carry out "real economic and political reforms," including amending the election law.

But the opposition in Jordan says Bakhit is not a reformist