Jordanians Protest Fuel-Subsidy Cut, Demand King’s Ouster
By Deema Almashabi and Mohammad Tayseer - Nov 16, 2012 8:45 AM ET
Thousands of Jordanians rallied around the country for a third day against the government’s decision to cut subsidies on fuel, with some demanding the ouster of King Abdullah II.
Security forces in Amman prevented protesters from marching to the royal court from Al Husseini mosque after the Friday sermon. While the demonstration broke up, protesters announced plans to continue the rally tonight outside the Ministry of Interior at the Dakhlia circle. Police barricaded the circle and are refusing entry to the area.
“The reason behind these protests is not to demonstrate, but to vandalize, and we are against vandalism,” Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour said in an interview today on Al Arabiya television. “Seventy-three percent of Jordanian citizens including government employees, armed forces, retirees, companies and anyone who is on social security will receive next Tuesday financial support from the government in dinars.”
Jordan, one of the smallest economies in the Middle East, has largely escaped the Arab Spring uprisings that have toppled the leaders of Egypt, Libya and Tunisia. King Abdullah, 50, has ruled since 1999 and is an important U.S. ally.
No injuries or violent acts were reported today. One person was killed and at least 17 civilians and 54 policemen were injured, seven of them critically, in the first two days of the unrest. The Muslim Brotherhood, the country’s largest opposition group, called on people to take to the streets today and the group’s chief, Hammam Saeed, urged King Abdullah to restore the subsidies, saying Jordanians can’t shoulder the extra burden.
more:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-11-16/jordanians-plan-protest-in-amman-over-cut-in-fuel-subsidy.html
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