Jordan’s opposition to resume protests

Author: 
DALE GAVLAK | AP
Publication Date: 
Tue, 2011-02-22 23:09

Under pressure from street protests inspired by uprisings roiling the Arab world, Abdallah instructed his government earlier this month to enact “quick and real” political reforms, allowing greater public say in the decision-making.
However, protesters say little has been done so far to meet their demands, such as changing a controversial election law, which the Brotherhood says favors the king’s loyalists. The Brotherhood is Jordan’s largest opposition group.
The Brotherhood and its political wing, the Islamic Action Front, had refrained from participating in protests for the past two weeks, saying they wanted to give newly appointed Prime Minister Maruf Bakhit a chance to carry out reforms.
However, Brotherhood spokesman Jamil Abu-Bakr said Tuesday that the government installed on Feb. 9 has not carried out the promised reforms.
He condemned attacks on protesters last Friday in Amman, which saw eight wounded in the first violence in weeks of demonstrations.
Abu-Bakr claimed that “thugs” were used or hired to carry out “aggression by groups that do not want reforms.” He urged the government to take action against those behind the attack and move quickly toward reform.
Meanwhile, Jordan urged Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi to halt his bloody crackdown on a weeklong uprising in the North African nation, signaling growing frustration across the Middle East with the longtime ruler’s harsh response.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammed Kayed said that “spilling the blood of the brotherly Libyan people must stop immediately.” Jordan’s relations with Libya have often been bumpy because Qaddafi is a vocal critic of Jordan’s peace treaty with Israel.
About 500 protesters, including eight Jordanian women lawmakers, unionists and Brotherhood leaders gathered outside the Libyan Embassy in Amman, demanding Qaddafi’s ouster. They chanted: “Qaddafi, get out; Libya must be freed.” Also Tuesday, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh set an supportive message to Bahrain, where anti-government protests have rattled the monarchy.
Jordan has historically maintained warm relations with Bahrain, another Arab kingdom. Jordan is concerned that unseating the Bahraini king would set a precedent, ultimately undermining other Arab monarchies.
 

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