Friday, Nov 16, 2012
AMMAN (AFP)--Thousands of demonstrators in Amman made unprecedented calls Friday for Jordanian King Abdullah II to go, as police blocked them from heading to the royal palace to vent their anger over sharp increases in fuel prices.
Public insults of the king or calling for his ouster are a rare occurrence because they are illegal and can result in the offender being jailed.
Police prevented them from heading for the palace about eight kilometers from the mosque, but no clashes were reported, an AFP reporter said.
Zaki Bani Rsheid, deputy leader of the opposition Muslim Brotherhood, said: "Those who are calling for fall of the regime are increasing because of wrong polices that reject people's demands. This cannot and should not be ignored. The regime must reform before it is too late."
The protesters said they plan to hold another demonstration at about 7:00 pm (1600 GMT) near the interior ministry on Gamal Abdel Nasser Circle.
Similar but smaller demonstrations took place in other parts of Jordan, including the southern cities of Tafileh, Karak and Maan, as wells Irbid and Jerash in the north.
Unrest erupted in Jordan Tuesday night after announcement of a 53% increase in the price of household gas and a 12% rise in petrol.
Riots left one person dead and 71 wounded, mainly policemen, according to police, which arrested 158 people and recorded around 100 incidents of rioting, vandalism and theft across Jordan.
The Muslim Brotherhood has demanded that the king cancel the price rises and postpone Jan. 23 general elections, which the group said it will boycott.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
16-11-12 1201GMT
