Jordanians hold anti-government demo over rising fuel pricesJordanians hold anti-government demo over rising fuel prices

Jordanians have held a fresh anti-government demonstration in the capital, Amman, to protest against rising fuel prices and the government’s refusal to implement reforms.

Hundreds of Jordanians demonstrated in front the Grand Mosque in the center of Amman on Friday to express their anger over the government decision to cut fuel subsidies in a bid to tackle a budget deficit of 3.5 billion dinars (USD five billion).

They also demanded political and economic reforms and called on the government to step down. A number of demonstrators also called for King Abdullah II’s ouster, a taboo which is punishable by imprisonment.

“This government has to go,” and “Those who want to raise (fuel) prices want to see the country burn,” the protesters shouted.

“We ask that the government stops ignoring the people’s demands. The people have reached the climax of their anger, we cannot take much more. Over the past few weeks we have seen that the slogans and chants have crossed over the line, this is a warning to the regime and the government: it is about time to listen to the people’s demands,” protester and journalist Nidal Salameh told Reuters.

Similar protests over fuel price rises were also held in several other cities, including Maan in the south of the country.

Jordanians have been holding protests since November 13 after the government announced plans to lift fuel subsidies in a bid to tackle the budget deficit. The sweeping subsidies decision increased prices of household cooking gas by just over 50 percent, diesel and kerosene by 33 percent and lower-grade gasoline by 15 percent.

A protester has been killed and over 157 others have been arrested since the beginning of protests.