Jordanians hold anti-govt. protests

Thousands of Jordanians have taken to the streets protesting against rising prices and slow pace of political reforms in the Arab country.

The protest rallies in the capital Amman and other main cities were held following Friday prayers.

Chanting anti-government slogans, the demonstrators denounced the government’s economic policies, saying Prime Minister Samir Rifai policies have caused the soaring food and fuel prices, unemployment and poverty.

“The government is eating our flesh … O Samir [Rifai], you have slaughtered us with high prices. You have left us broke”, chanted the protesters.

“O people of Jordan revolt against poverty and hunger. The government must leave and No to theft of the country.”

The demonstrators also criticized Samir Raifai’s cabinet for what they called its failure to fight corruption.

The Friday protests came after Jordan’s prime minister announced a pay raise for civil servants as well as the pensions of retired employees and expansion of a state subsidy program in the face of public dissatisfaction.

The move follows the government announcement of a USD 225 million package of cuts in the prices of some types of fuel and of staple products including sugar and rice on the orders of King Abdullah II to help ease the burden on the poor.

Inspired by the Tunisian revolution, Jordanians, who have staged protests in the past week, say they will keep up the pressure until Prime Minister Samir Rifai and his ministers resign.

“The Jordanian people are on fire. The government is cutting its people like a saw. Down, down Rifai,” the crowd chanted.

The protest organizers, opposition groups including the powerful Muslim Brotherhood, left-wing groups and trade unions, are also calling for political reforms, saying Jordanians must be allowed to elect their prime minister and the rest of the Cabinet rather than having them appointed by the King.