AMMAN -- The Islamic Action Front (IAF) on Wednesday decried a government plan to lift subsidies on oil derivates, electricity and other commodities to help close the Kingdom's gaping budget deficit.
In a statement issued yesterday, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood, the largest opposition group in the Kingdom, criticised the rising prices of basic commodities, the "slowdown" of "true political reform", and a "decline" in public services, particularly for children and people with disabilities.
The statement was issued after a meeting of the IAF executive committee on Monday and a press conference held at the party's office in west Amman late Tuesday.
The IAF commended tribal leaders in the Kingdom for taking a position similar to their own towards the electoral system, in opposition to the one-person, one-vote system and the concept of virtual districts.
During a meeting with reporters and columnists on Tuesday, IAF Secretary General Hamzah Mansour said that the Islamist movement had interacted with the government of former prime minster Awn Khasawneh in the same manner as other governments.
Mansour also acknowledged that Islamists had met with Khasawneh after he resigned last month.
"The meeting was just to show appreciation for his efforts to reach true political reform in the Kingdom," he said.
According to Mansour, the movement has not met with any directors of the General Intelligence Department (GID) in the past three years. Although a meeting was planned with the current GID director, Gen. Faisal Shobaki, he said, it did not take place due to "certain arrangements" he would not specify.
In the statement, the IAF said the executive authority was solely responsible for its "failed policies" and rejected any attempt to address economic and financial difficulties through "citizens' pockets".
© Jordan Times 2012
