/ 24 June 2011

Jordanians demand ‘incorruptible, salvation government’

Hundreds of Jordanians have demonstrated outside the prime minister's office in Amman, demanding speedy reforms and a corruption-free state.

More than 500 Jordanians demonstrated outside the prime minister’s office in Amman on Friday, demanding speedy reforms and a corruption-free government.

“The people want to reform the regime. Speed up democratic reforms now. We want our stolen money back,” demonstrators chanted during a sit-in organised by the opposition Islamists movement, leftists groups and trade unions.

“We demand an incorruptible national salvation government,” read a banner they carried.

Elsewhere, around 600 held pro-reform protests in the southern cities of Karak, Tafileh and Thieban as well as Irbid in the north, according to organisers.

‘Independent judiciary’
“Democracy means an independent judiciary, honest MPs and an elected government,” read a banner carried by residents of Tafileh who also chanted “fight thieves, not reformists”.

In Karak, demonstrators hailed former information minister Taher Adwan who resigned on Tuesday after accusing the government of proposing “restrictive” legislation, which he has described as a “blow to the reform drive” and “martial laws.”

Since January, Jordan has faced a protest movement demanding political and economic reforms and an end to corruption. — Sapa-AFP