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Ammon News - By Banan Malkawi

AMMONNEWS - Thousands of Jordanians poured to the streets after Friday prayers protesting soaring prices of basic commodities, corruption, and calling for the dismissal of Prime Minister Samir Rifai's government.

The largest demonstration was witnessed in downtown Amman where tens of thousands of citizens marched from Al Husseini mosque raising Jordanian flags and chanting anti-government slogans.

Security and police were on standby in the vicinity of the mosque, no confrontations with protestors were reported as demonstration organizers stressed that the protests are peaceful and organized.

Demonstrators shouted slogans against Prime Minister Samir Rifai's government and the parliament, which gave a record 111 vote-of-confidence to the government last month.

Political parties, including the Islamist movement represented by the Islamic Action Front (IAF) and the Muslim Brotherhood, the United National Front Party, and leftist groups participated in the downtown Amman demonstrations.

Protestors also chanted pan-Arab slogans in solidarity with the people of Algeria, Iraq, and Palestine, and expressed admiration of the "Jasmine Revolution" of Tunisia which culminated in the toppling of former President Zine Al Abidine Ben Ali last week.

Meanwhile, Jordanian Professional Associations stressed its rejection of government policies which have led to the impoverishment of the Jordanian people and exploitation of public funds through widespread corruption, Chairman of the Council and Chairman of the Jordanian Agricultural Engineers' Association Abdul Hadi Falahat said.

Falahat stressed that the anger expressed by citizens is a reflection of their need for dignity, freedom, and justice, which are their demands.

He charged that successive governments have exploited citizens' living conditions and did not consider national interests, seeking to compensate for the rising debt- caused by corruption and squandering of national resources - from the pockets of citizens. (Watch exclusive video, more below)



Meanwhile, Demonstrators expressed gratitude to the security forces and commended them for not intervening in the peaceful protests, chanting "a thousand greetings to Public Security Forces."

Protestors expressed anger at increased gas prices shouting "raise the price of gasoline, and fill your pockets with millions".. "raise the price of kerosene and fill your pockets with dollars."

Others slogans were targeted directly at Rifai, calling him a coward and reminding him of the April 1989 'Habbit Nissan' uprising that led the toppling of his father Zaid Rifai, and shouting "Samir tell your father the Jordanian people do not like you."

"Revolution .. Revolution .. on the way."

"Unite your hands, the government has sucked your blood."

Other slogans were directed at the parliament: "111 cowards, remember the days of Tojan [Faisal], they sold the country for free."

Protestors charged that members of the Lower House of Parliament have let the people down and further reinforced the government's audacious and provocative tactics against the people.


** See more photos and coverage on Ammon News Arabic @ http://ammonnews.net/article.aspx?articleNo=78550