Jordanians Continue Protests Demanding Political Reforms, July 29, 2011

Jordanians Continue Protests Demanding Political Reforms

July 29, 2011

Thousands of Jordanian protestors demonstrate in the capital Amman to demand reforms

AFP – Fri, Jul 29, 2011

More than 3,000 Jordanian demonstrators, mostly opposition Islamists, took to the streets of central Amman on Friday, demanding "genuine" regime reforms and condemning attacks against the media.

"The people want to reform the regime. Millions of dinars are stolen while people are starving," chanted the protesters as they held a large national flag and marched from Al-Husseini mosque to nearby city hall.

Hamzah Mansur, chief of the powerful Islamic Action Front (IAF), which organised the demonstration, demanded "genuine" reforms.

"So far none of our demands have been met. We want genuine political and economic reforms. The people insist on reforming the regime," Mansur told the demonstrators, who handed out water bottles to police.

The protesters also condemned corruption, "the interference of security services in our affairs" and attacks against journalists.

"We salute and respect journalists," they chanted, carrying banners that read, "we reject restrictions on press freedom. Attacking journalists seek to hide the truth."

On July 15, police broke up clashes between pro-reform demonstrators and government supporters in Amman, beating and injuring nine journalists wearing orange vests marked "Press."

And on June 15, 10 men broke into AFP's offices in Amman, destroying windows, furniture and equipment.

The assaults have been denounced by MPs, journalists, activists and the government, which vowed to protect the media.

Since January, Jordan has faced a protest movement demanding political and economic reforms and an end to corruption.

Jordan's Islamist opposition vows more protests

AP – Fri, Jul 29, 2011

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) —

Members of Jordan's powerful Islamist opposition have taken an oath to continue peaceful protests until their demands for political reform in the kingdom are met.

Around 3,000 Muslim Brotherhood activists took the oath, raising their right hands during a protest in Amman on Friday.

King Abdullah II said during talks this week with President Nicolas Sarkozy of France that reforms are "coming soon."

Bowing to pressure, Abdullah has said he will allow prime ministers to be chosen through parliamentary elections rather than appointing them himself. But he says the change will take two to three years.

The government also promised wider freedoms.

But critics remain suspicious of the current premier, an ex-army general widely seen incapable of introducing reforms.

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