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Jordanians demand genuine reforms

Thousands of Jordanian protesters have poured into the streets of the capital to demand reforms and a wider public say in politics.

Shouting anti-government slogans in weekly protest rallies after the Friday Prayers, demonstrators also called for the prime minister’s ouster and denounced government corruption.

Jordanians blame Prime Minister Marouf al-Bakhit for the delay in adopting the promised economic and political reforms and the widespread corruption in the country.

“So far none of our demands have been met. We want genuine political and economic reforms. The people insist on reforming the regime,” Hamzah Mansur, chief of the powerful Islamic Action Front (IAF) told demonstrators.

They also condemned what they called the interference of security services in the country’s affairs and attacks against journalists.

“We salute and respect journalists. We reject restrictions on press freedom, “protesters shouted as they marched from al-Husseini osque to nearby city hall.

On July 15, Jordanian police beat up peaceful anti-government demonstrators as they tried to set up a protest camp in an Amman square.

Similar protests were reported in the cities of Tafileh, Karak, Irbid and Mafraq.

The protest rallies came after details of amendments to the constitution as proposed by an ad hoc panel appointed by King Abdullah II were leaked, DPA reported.

“The protesters considered the proposed amendments as falling short of the people’s demands in having a constitutional monarchy with governments formed on the basis of parliamentary majorities,” an activist said.

According to Jordanian authorities, details of the proposed amendments are expected to be made public next week.

Jordan has faced anti-government rallies demanding reforms and an end to corruption since January.

Last month, in a bid to appease protesters, King Abdullah II announced some concessions, including the formation of future governments that are based on an elected parliamentary majority rather than one appointed by the monarch.

But he later said it may take two to three years to put an elected government in place.

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