“It was an unacceptable and unjustified action which does not represent the behavior of the public security, which we are proud of in keeping the country’s security and stability,” the monarch said during a meeting with the President of the Jordan Press Association (JPA), Tareq Momani.

It was the first comment on the incident by the monarch, who returned home from a visit to the United States late Wednesday.

At least 10 journalists were hurt when policemen used force to disperse hundreds of pro-democracy youth activists, calling themselves the July 15 Gathering, who demonstrated at the Nakheel Square in downtown Amman to protest the delay in adopting political reform.

An investigation panel set up by the Public Security Directorate (PSD) on Wednesday held policemen “directly responsible” for the attacks which were condemned by opposition parties and rights groups across the country, including the state-funded National Centre for Human Rights (NCHR).

Interior Minister Mazen Saket and the PSD chief Gen. Hussein Majali also visited the JPA premises to apologize for the incident.

King Abdallah also “rejected all practices and restrictions on the media, underscoring the importance of their role in reporting facts to the public and addressing issues in an independent and transparent manner,” he royal court statement said.

He promised to issue directions to the government and the security authorities to lay down procedures for protecting journalists and media representatives during their coverage of political and social activities.

Jordanian police were involved in at least four attacks against media men and pro-democracy activists so far this year, but it was the first time the security authorities accepted responsibility.