Jordanians protest against gas hikes

Despite the high temperature which reached 41 degrees in the Jordanian capital Amman, protesters took to streets demonstrating against the rise of gasoline prices Friday. Others demonstrated, objecting to the elections law bill which was recently suggested by the legal committee in the House of Representatives. The slogans of the rallies mentioned the Jordanian king and demanded the downfall of the government. A march called for by Islamic and youth parties was launched after Friday prayers, in front the al-Husseini Mosque towards the Al Nakheel Square. The demonstrators criticised what they called the deliberate rise in gasoline prices. The former MP Jaafar al-Hourani, delivered a speech in which he affirmed that the past two parliamentary elections were fraudulent. He called for reform and accused the government of not being serious in its reform plans. In Irbid, a demonstration characterised as “huge” took place after Friday prayers. The leftist MP Jameel al-Nimri delivered a speech, in which he called on the Jordanian people to gather before the House of Senates on Sunday to coincide with the date on which the elections bill will be discussed, and to call for the cancellation of the law. In Kark, a massive rally characterised as “unprecedented” took place with popular and partisan participation. The slogans rejected the official policies and condemned the price rise of services and essential commodities. There was also a popular demonstration which took place after Friday prayers infront of the al-Tafila mosque under the slogan “Bread, Freedom, Social Justice,” calling for reform and and an end to corruption.