Jordanian protesters demand ouster of government

Jordanian protesters demand ouster of government

2011-06-10 21:35:21 GMT+7 (ICT)

AMMAN, JORDAN (BNO NEWS) -- Jordanians on Friday took to the streets to demand the ouster of Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit's government for its failure to carry out political reforms and combat corruption.

According to Ammon News, the pro-reform demonstrations took place in various governorates including Amman, Irbid, Karak, Ma'an, and Dhiban district in Madaba. In the southern governorate of Tafileh, protesters took to the streets for the fourth consecutive week, calling for political, economic, and constitutional reforms.

The pro-reform protesters criticized Tafileh dignitaries, who recently visited the Royal Hashemite Court to "apologize" for the movement taking place in the governorate. They chanted slogans against the dignitaries, accusing them of attempting to obstruct their peaceful pro-reform movement.

Protesters also called for national unity and accused the government of "slacking" in implementing reform measures.

In March, two protesters were killed and over 100 were injured when Jordanian security forces intervened to end a clash between pro-monarchy and pro-reform protesters. Security forces used tear gas, water cannons, and metal batons to disperse protesters, while a group of demonstrators, describing themselves as "loyalists," chanted slogans in support of King Abdullah II and hurled rocks at the protesters.

Sixteen members of the newly established National Dialogue Committee announced their resignation in protest of the violent attacks on peaceful protesters.

Jordan's King Abdullah II approved a new 27-member cabinet early February after protesters called for the resignation of then-current prime minister Samir Rifai and his government. The previous government was blamed for price hikes, excessive taxation, unemployment, and difficult economic conditions.

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