Land of the Arab Revival

Jordanians join Syrians to protest Russia's UN veto

2012-02-09T06:16:00.002+02:00

by Muath Freij
Feb 08,2012

AMMAN — Around 100 Jordanians and Syrians gathered outside the Russian embassy on Tuesday in protest against the Russian veto of a UN Security Council resolution to condemn the Syrian regime’s crackdown on protesters.

Organized by the Jordanian Commission to Support the Syrian People (JCSSP), the one-hour demonstration was the third held outside the Russian embassy since the beginning of this month.

JCSSP President Ali Abul Sukkar said yesterday’s demonstration was held to denounce Russia’s veto, which he said provided the Syrian regime with a license to continue killing its people.

He noted that the JCSSP’s demonstrations are meant not only to express solidarity with Syrians, but also to help raise awareness among Jordanians of the need to support refugees.

“We are encouraging charitable societies to raise funds and distribute clothing to Syrian refugees across the Kingdom. We hope that international organizations take notice of the Syrian refugees, because their numbers are increasing,” Abul Sukkar told The Jordan Times during the protest yesterday.

“We have representatives in the governorates of Karak, Maan, Irbid and Zarqa. We try to help as much as possible,” he added.

Abul Sukkar indicated that businessmen are also cooperating with the JCSSP by hiring some Syrian refugees to help them earn a living.

“Unfortunately some refugees are not able to work because of the psychological shock caused by the massacres in Syria,” the JCSSP president stressed.

Some 3,000 Syrian refugees have registered with the UNHCR in Jordan, while estimates of their total number range from 4,000 to 8,000.

Abul Sukkar explained that the situation in Syria is of particular concern to Jordanians, motivating them to go into the streets to protest the violence.

“Photos and videos of massacres in Syria are really awful and they encourage Jordanians to participate in any demonstration or event that can help support Syrian refugees,” he said.

Raeda Atoum, a Jordanian demonstrator, agreed, adding that Syrians and Jordanians are brothers.

“A group of my friends are collecting money and clothing for refugees. The massacres are a tragedy for both Jordanians and Syrians,” she said.

Atoum noted that she took part in yesterday’s demonstration to denounce the negative stance of Russia.

“Although the number of killings is increasing significantly, I sense that the last days of [Syrian President] Bashar Assad are about to come,” she told The Jordan Times.

Omar Masri, another protester, asserted that Russia’s position on Syria has ruined its “bright image” in the Arab world.

He also denounced the Arab states’ unwillingness to take action to stop the violence in Syria, adding that the only thing they can do is denounce.

Haitham Yasin, another Jordanian protester, claimed that Russia used its veto only to assert its relevance in the international community.

“They also wanted to oppose the US,” he said.

Aziza, a Syrian protester who refused to reveal her full name, stated that only God will help them defeat the regime.

“We are not waiting for the Security Council or any other party’s help. God and the Free Syrian Army will overcome the regime,” she said.

Teachers strike continues for second day

2012-02-09T06:15:00.003+02:00

by Laila Azzeh
Feb 08,2012

Gov’t downplays extent of work stoppage, but teachers, parents say otherwise.

AMMAN – As a nationwide strike by public school teachers entered its second day on Tuesday, activists warned that the government’s “silence” and “negativity” in dealing with the teachers’ demands will only “make things worse for all involved parties”.

Ministry of Education Spokesperson Ayman Barakat issued a statement yesterday saying that classes were held as usual in many schools across Jordan, while some schools only held certain classes, and teachers refused to teach at all in others.

However, teachers and parents claimed that more teachers took part in the strike yesterday than on Monday, expressing their “surprise” over the government’s stance in “playing down the protest”.

“Students, especially those in secondary school, are the ones most harmed by the teachers’ escalatory measures… they are victims of the government’s inflexibility and the teachers’ insistence on using students to place pressure [on the government],” said Saeed Qatameen, who has three sons that attend a public school in Tafileh.

Parents gathered outside several schools in various governorates yesterday, threatening to head to court if teachers continue their work stoppage and asking the government to intervene so their children can start their spring semester, describing the teachers’ action as “irresponsible”.

“Parents should understand that improving the situation of teachers is a win-win situation,” Raed Azzam of the Amman Free Teachers Committee countered, asking how parents believe that teachers who spend their nights “frying falafel” can provide their children a proper education.

Yesterday’s strike, which activists said took place in more than 90 per cent of the Kingdom’s state schools, took a new turn when directors of the schools and education departments started “threatening” and “interrogating” teachers.

“They wanted to pressure teachers to end their strike by terrorizing them,” Azzam charged, stressing that this act is considered a “dangerous turn in an already appalling situation”.

Barakat voiced the ministry’s commitment to communicate with teachers and meet their “achievable” demands.

The teachers’ main demand is an increase in their professional allowance from 70 per cent to 100 per cent of their basic salary.

Under the recently enacted public sector salary restructuring plan, allowances of all workers in the education sector were unified at 70 per cent of their basic salary.

The ministry has proposed raising the allowance from 70 to 80 per cent retroactively from the beginning of this year and phasing in the remaining 20 per cent in 2013 and 2014, but the compromise offer was met with outrage, as teachers said they have been waiting for their full professional allowance for more than 16 years.

Meanwhile, Minister of Public Sector Development Khleif Al Khawaldeh underlined that raises in the salaries of teachers and employees in the education ministry under the salary restructuring plan are considered “rewarding” in light of the difficult economic situation, especially when compared to the raises granted to other public sector employees.

In a statement to the Jordan News Agency, Petra, he added that the salary restructuring plan will cost the government JD110 million after its latest decision to raise teachers’ professional allowances gradually over three years, which he said would cost JD76 million or 61 per cent of the total cost of the restructuring plan.

Khawaldeh underlined that the government’s decision to raise the professional allowance to 100 per cent over three years was “out of its commitment to the role teachers play in the educational process”.

Libya plans to recruit Jordanians to help in rebuilding

2012-02-09T06:15:00.000+02:00

Feb 08, 2012

Premier, delegates discuss with officials prospects of cooperation.

AMMAN — Jordan on Tuesday offered to put all its capabilities and expertise at the disposal of the new Libya as the Arab country goes through a rebuilding stage.

A senior Libyan official said his country is interested in the offer, adding that Tripoli is particularly interested in Jordanian human resources.

The message was carried to the Libyan leadership by Prime Minister Awn Khasawneh and a wide-ranging delegation of officials and businessmen, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The premier held talks in Tripoli with National Transitional Council (NTC) Chairman Mustafa Abdul Jalil over ways to develop relations in the post-Qadhafi era.

For his part, Abdul Jalil expressed gratitude for His Majesty King Abdullah and Jordan’s political, humanitarian and logistic support to Libya, which will always be remembered by the Libyan people.

During the Libyan revolution against Qadhafi’s 42-year rule, Amman worked under an international coalition mandated by the UN to protect civilians.

After the regime change, Jordan undertook to train around 10,000 Libyan troops, while approximately 20,000 Libyans, including people injured during the revolt, have arrived in the Kingdom to receive treatment at its hospitals, according to officials.

Abdul Jalil voiced appreciation of the King’s gesture to deploy a Jordanian military hospital to the Libyan city of Benghazi, noting that the medical cadres have been not only treating Libyan patients but also extending their medical expertise to Libyan medical staff.

Libya is also expected to offer Jordanians jobs to help it in the rebuilding efforts, while the private sector eyes contracts in an array of projects designed to change the face of the oil-rich North African country.

According to Petra, Abdul Jalil said his country plans to benefit from Jordan’s expertise in various fields and from its “distinguished and highly qualified” human resources, especially in medical care, adding: “We are looking forward to benefiting from the Jordanian human resources which will be the basis of our future relations.”

Also during the meeting, HRH Prince Mired, chairman of the National Committee for De-mining and Rehabilitation noted that the agency is “fully ready” to extend its support and guidance to the Libyans to help remove mines scattered on their land.

Several ministers and senior officials accompanying Khasawneh made presentations to their Libyan counterparts on ways through which various Jordanian sectors can help Libya.

In this regard, Libya’s interim Deputy Prime Minister Mustafa Abushagur noted that his country, after the difficult situation it faced, is in need of a “complete overhaul”, and the government plans to benefit from the expertise of the Arab and Islamic states, adding that “priority will be given to Jordan due to its advanced expertise in various spheres”.

The delegation included Prince Mired, Minister of Justice Salim Al Zoubi, Minister of Industry and Trade Sami Gammoh, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Rowaida Maaitah, Minister of Information and Communications Technology Bassem Roussan, Minister of Transport Alaa Batayneh, Minister of Health Abdul Latif Wreikat, Minister of Public Works and Housing Yahya Kisbi, Minister of Labour Maher Wakid, Minister of Public Sector Development Khleif Al Khawaldeh, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Klaib Fawaz and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Qutaiba Abu Qura.

The Jordanian delegation also comprised secretaries general of several ministries, directors of public agencies, heads of parliamentary committees as well as representatives of chambers of trade and finance, professional associations and businessmen.

Also on Tuesday, Khasawneh met with Libya’s interim Prime Minister Abdurrahim Al Kib. The two stressed the need to continue cooperation and coordination between Jordan and Libya.

ارتفاع عدد اللاجئين السوريين بالأردن إلى 2700

2012-02-02T18:47:00.002+02:00

2011-08-25

خبرني- أحصت جمعية المركز الاسلامي من خلال مراكزها الموجودة في مختلف المحافظات الاردنية عدد السوريين الذين فروا إلى المملكة من سوريا بـ2700 مواطن سوري.

ووفقا لاحصائيات حديثة نشرت الخميس بلغ عدد الاسر السورية التي تم حصرها 120 اسرة من بينها 13 اسرة في العاصمة عمان فيما تمركز العدد الاكبر منها في محافظة المفرق (47) اسرة ومن ثم محافظة الرمثا (45) اسرة واربد (15) اسرة.

واشار نشطاء يقومون على تقديم المعونة للعائلات السورية الى ان نحو 20 سوريا فروا الى المملكة بطريقة غير شرعية حيث تم وضعهم تحت الحراسة .

وقدمت غالبية الاسر السورية من درعا وريف دمشق، فيما بدأت عائلات تاتي من حماة وحمص وتبليسة وفقا للنشطاء.

وتقدم الجمعات الخيرية الانسانية العاملة في المحافظات التي يوجد فيها مواطنون سوريون مساعدات عينية لها لتمكينها من قضاء احتياجاتها المعيشية، بالاضافة الى تامينها بالسكن المناسب في ظل ارتفاع اجرة السكن في المفرق والرمثا، حيث يتم تامين اكثر من عائلة في شقة واحدة.

أردني ينجح بتصميم شبكة إنذار منزلي عبر الموبايل

2012-01-30T17:30:00.002+02:00

2011-08-22

خبرني- اثبت البروفسور الاردني الدكتور خالد عايد بقاعين قدرته على الابداع والانجاز بتسجيله براءة اختراع جهاز انذار عن طريق الهاتف النقال ( الموبايل ) يقوم بتأمين الحماية الامنية في المنازل والمكاتب .

ويجعل هذا الاختراع جهاز الخلوي وفقا لما يقوله بقاعين للصحفية سهير جرادات في وكالة الانباء الاردنية (بترا ) اكثر من هاتف اذ يمكن ربطه بنظام الامن في المنزل او المكتب عن طريق تصميم نظام حماية يتم تحميله في الجهاز الخاص بالشخص ويقوم بالتنبيه عن أي شخص غير مرغوب به يدخل الى المنزل ، اما عبر مكالمة هاتفية صوتية او صورية.

ويضيف ان هذا النظام يحتاج الى تركيب كاميرا في المكان المراد حمايته ، ولا يحتاج الى جهاز حاسوب أو انترنت ، مشيرا الى انه تم تطوير النظام في جامعة ( جلامورجن ) في مقاطعة ويلز البريطانية بعد تسجيله دوليا .

ويلفت الى انه نجح بتصميم النظام وتصنيعه عبر تأسيس شركة منبثقة عن الجامعة تقوم بتسويقه في مختلف دول العالم حيث بدأ الان في بريطانيا ومن ثم سينتقل الى الهند وبعدها الى الاردن ليكون متاحا امام المواطنين واصحاب الشركات .

ويقول انه يمكن من خلال جهاز الموبايل ان تراقب الام صغارها الذين تتركهم في المنزل عند العاملات ، ومتابعة امورهم عن بعد .

ويأمل بقاعين ان ينتشر هذا النظام ليصل الى الاطباء بحيث يمكنهم من متابعة المرضى في منازلهم وخاصة مرضى الضغط والقلب والسكري ليعطي مؤشرا على ارتفاع الضغط ومتابعة الاشخاص الذين يعيشون لوحدهم .

وكانت رحلة البقاعين بدأت من جامعة مؤته عندما كان رئيسا لقسم الحاسوب ، وحاول فيها ان يثبت قدرته على العمل لتكون اول جامعة اردنية يتم ربطها في شبكة الانترنت في العام 1993 بالتعاون مع مركز المعلومات الوطني الا ان مشروعه لم يتم بسبب الروتين وتوقف لينجح فيما بعد بتأسيس مركز التميز للتطبيقات التكنولوجية في مقاطعة ويلز في بريطانيا .

ويسعى الدكتور بقاعين الى تصميم نظام يساعد المصابين في ضعف البصر لتعريفهم على الطرقات واي اماكن يرتادونها عن طريق ربطهم بجهاز هاتف مع الاقمار الصناعية ليتعرفوا على الاتجاهات في الطرق ومعرفة اوقات انطلاق الحافلات، ويكشف عن نيته تصميم نظام يمكن الشخص عن طريق الموبايل من معرفة مواقع ومواعيد انطلاق الباصات خلال السنوات الخمس المقبلة .

ويعكف على انشاء مركز تميز اردني لتطبيقات الحاسوب في المملكة يرعى الإبداع والمبدعين يكون مشابها لمركز التميز الذي يرأسه حاليا في ويلز ويعد من اكبر مراكز الأبحاث في أوروبا في مجال تطبيقات وخدمات الانظمه الخلوية الذكية . ويوضح ان المركز الاردني سيسهم في توسيع نطاق الأبحاث المتميزة وتقديم خدمات الاستشارات وتطوير الانظمة والبرمجيات الخلوية إلى الشركات المحلية والدولية الأمر الذي سيزيد من القدرة التنافسية لهذه الشركات في عالم يتوقع أن يزيد فيه الانفاق على التطبيقات الذكية عن خمسين بليون دولار في عام 2015.

ويبين انه يعمل حالياً على بناء شبكة من العلاقات والإتصالات كمحاولة لنقل بعض من هذه النشاطات العلمية من بحثية أو تطويرية إلى المملكة مشيرا الى انه نظم مؤتمراً دولياً في عمان بالتعاون مع مركز المعلومات الوطني في الجمعية العلمية الملكية في شهر تموز الماضي. يشار الى ان مركز التميز في ويلز تصل موازنته الى 5 ملايين جنيه إسترليني جاءت في أغلبها من تمويل اوروبي ومن الحكومة المحلية في ويلز بالاضأفة إلى مساهمة العديد من الشركات الكبرى في مجال الاتصالات والتطبيقات الخلوية.

يذكر ان الدكتور البقاعين بالإضافة إلى منصبه كبروفسور في الجامعة ومديراً لمركز الأبحاث والتطوير فيها فإنه يشغل العديد من المناصب الدولية كونه رئيساً للاتحاد الأوروبي لجمعيات المحاكاة وتمثيل الأنظمة ورئيساً لما يزيد عن خمسة عشر مؤتمراً دولياً في مجال الإتصالات والتطبيقات الخلوية الى جانب الاشراف على العديد من رسائل الدكتوراه لطلبة اردنيين ً.

Jordan urges "peaceful" transition of power in Libya

2012-01-30T17:29:00.002+02:00

Aug 22, 2011

Amman - The Jordanian government on Monday called for a 'peaceful and speedy' transition of power in Libya after the downfall of Moamer Gaddafi's regime.

'Jordan is closely watching the rapid developments in Libya and hopes the country will see a speedy and peaceful transition of power,' Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh said in a statement carried by the official Petra news agency.

Judeh also urged 'a compromise among all political and social forces on a roadmap that permits the setting up of a democratic system of government which enables Libya to play its due role in the Arab world and preserves the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.'

He said that the Transitional National Council has an 'important' role to play in the process of the transition of power.

Jordan was one of the first Arab countries to recognize the opposition council and establish diplomatic ties with the Libyan rebels.

Meanwhile, the Muslim Brotherhood movement, Jordan's main opposition group, congratulated the Libyan people for toppling Gaddafi and his regime.

'We congratulate the great people of Libya and both the Arab and Islamic nations for this brilliant victory,' the Brotherhood's leader Hammam Saeed said in a statement.

Saeed in particular advised Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Yemeni leader Ali Abdullah Saleh 'to take a lesson from this outstanding example of despotism.'

Thousands of people have taken part in anti-government protests in Syria and Yemen this year.

شغب في المفرق لليوم الثالث على التوالي

2012-01-30T17:28:00.002+02:00

2011-08-21

خبرني - اسلام الحوامده
اندلعت أعمال شغب مجددا في مدينة المفرق شمالي شرق المفرق ليلة الأحد الاثنين لليوم الثالث على التوالي احتجاجا على عدم القبض على فارضي الخاوات في المدينة.
وأقدمت مجموعة من عشائر المدينة على إشعال النيران في المحلات التجارية ومبنى المحافظة، وسط حضور أمني كثيف اضطر فيه الأمن لاستخدام العنف والغاز المدمع لتفريق المتظاهرين.
ميدانيا، تشهد المدينة توترا شديدا اعتبر الأعلى في المدينة خلال الليالي الثلاث الأخيرة، فيما لم يتم يتسن لـ "خبرني" تحديد عدد المصابين نظراً لمحاصرة قوات الأمن لمستشفى المفرق الحكومي، لكن دوي عيارات نارية سمع في سماء المدينة.
وتحاصر قوات الأمن والدرك منزل محافظ المفرق سليم الرواحنة خشية وصول المتظاهرين إليه.
إلى ذلك، تشهد المدينة اعتداءات من المتظاهرين على عدد من منازل تعود لمواطنين يؤكدون أنهم ليسوا أطرافاً في المشاجرات التي أدت إلى أعمال الشغب.

إسلاميو الاردن يدعون الطغاة للاعتبار من سقوط القذافي

2012-01-30T17:27:00.002+02:00

2011-08-22

خبرني- هنأ المراقب العام لجماعة الإخوان المسلمين الدكتور همام سعيد "الأمة العربية والإسلامية بسقوط طاغية ليبيا معمر القذافي "،لافتاً الى ان "الشعوب ستنتصر مهما طال الزمن".

وقال في تصريح له الاثنين :"تهنئ جماعة الإخوان المسلمين الشعب الليبي العظيم والامة العربية والاسلامية بهذا النصر المؤزر الذي وافق ليلية الثاني والعشرين من شهر رمضان المبارك ليضاف الى قائمة الفتوحات العظيمة التي أظلها الشهر الكريم ،وينضم بذلك ان شاء الله الى معركة بدر وفتح مكة".

واشار المراقب العام الى ان "هذا النصر جاء بعد عشرات الألوف من الشهداء والجرحى وكانت تكاليفه كبيرة مما يعطيه طعماً خاصاً ويجعله انجازاً شارك فيه جميع أبناء ليبيا رجالا ونساءً شيباً وشباناً وقد خرج الشعب الليبي اصلب عودا واشد شكيمة وهو يأخذ اليوم مكانه في طليعة الأمة".

ودعا بشار الاسد وعلي عبدالله صالح الى "الاعتبار من هذا النموذج الصارخ في الطغيان"،لافتاً الى اختلاف تجارب الشعب التونسي مع الطاغية بن علي ،والمصري مع الطاغية مبارك ،والليبي مع القذافي ،واتفاقها في النتيجة .وتابع:" هذه التجارب ضمن فئة الطغاة الذين يستخدمون القوة العسكرية مع شعوبهم وفي ذلك عبرة ".

ونبه سعيد بالقول:"لا اظن ان طاغية كان بشدة هذا ودمويته،وبالرغم من ذلك فقد شاء الله تعالى ان يقلعه من جذوره وان يخرج كأن لم يكن له اي حضور على الساحة الليبية واصبح عبرة لجميع الطغاة".

ولفت سعيد الى ان "مثل هذه التجربة الجهادية لا بد ان تؤدي دورها الكبير في قضايا الامة كقضية فلسطين والوحدة والتحرر من جميع انواع الاستبداد والاستعمار والتبعية"،وتابع:"الحمد لله حمدا كثيرا طيبا على نعمة النصر ورحم الله شهداء ليبيا وشافي جرحاهم ونفع الامة بهلاك الظالمين وجمع الكلمة على الخير والهدى ".

Jordanians urge Israel envoy expulsion

2012-01-28T18:19:00.000+02:00

Sun Aug 21, 2011

Hundreds of Jordanians have rallied near Israel's embassy in the capital city of Amman, demanding the expulsion of Tel Aviv's ambassador to Jordan.

Late on Saturday, the protesters condemned Israel's airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, calling for the closure of the Israeli embassy.

Raising the flags of Jordan, Egypt and Palestine, the demonstrators also demanded the abrogation of Amman's 1994 peace treaty with Tel Aviv, DPA reported.

Israel claims it launched its latest attacks on the Gaza Strip on Thursday in response to assaults that targeted two buses and a military vehicle near Eilat in southern Israel, in which eight Israelis were killed.

The Israeli offensive claimed the lives of at least 16 Palestinians and injured more than 45 others, including children.

Israeli Minister for Military Affairs Ehud Barak quickly accused resistance groups in Gaza for the attacks and vowed a “full response.”

The democratically elected government of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas in Gaza, however, strongly dismissed the allegations and warned against any act of aggression on the enclave.

Israel imposed a blockade on Gaza since the Hamas government took control of the territory in 2007.

The blockade has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the impoverished territory.

Some 1.5 million people are being denied their basic rights, including the freedom of movement and their rights to appropriate living conditions, work, health and education.

Jordan-GCC talks in Sept

2012-01-28T18:18:00.000+02:00

Sunday 21/8/2011

The first round of talks for Jordan’s admission to the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) will be held between September 10 and 15, Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh said yesterday.

Judeh is to meet his GCC counterparts in Saudi Arabia to outline a road map for Jordan’s admission to the bloc, he told a private sector panel set up to follow the issue.

In May, GCC leaders decided at a meeting in Riyadh to accept Jordan as a new member. The council comprises Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman.

Both Jordan and the GCC countries “stand to benefit” from Amman’s admission to the group, Judeh said.

حراك الكرك مهاجما بيان '43': النواب جزء من الفساد

2012-01-24T13:20:00.002+02:00

2011-08-18

خبرني- هاجم الحراك الشبابي والشعبي في محافظة الكرك البيان الصادر عن 43 نائباً يصفون فيه مطلقي الهتافات خلال بعض المسيرات والاعتصامات بالخيانة وإثارة الفتنة وزعزعة الأمن والاستقرار.
وقال الحراك في بيان صادر عنه الخميس" طالعتنا الصحافة المكتوبة والمرئية والإلكترونية ببيان موقع من بعض نواب الـ (111) يعتبرون الآلاف التي اعتصمت أمام محافظة الكرك بالقلة التي لا تعبر عن إرادة الشعب وتهدف إلى زعزعة الأمن والاستقرار ".
ووصف البيان النواب بـ "جزء من متوالية الفساد والمحسوبية وأنهم نتاج سيء لقانون الصوت الواحد والدائرة الوهمية والتزوير المبرمج" .
وأكد الحراك على مطالبته بإصلاح النظام واحترام إرادة الشعب ومحاسبة الفاسدين بالقضاء المستقل كوسيلة لمنع زعزعة الأمن والاستقرار، وتابع "الاستقرار لن يكون بالعصا الغليظة ولا بالجزرة ، وإنما بإعطاء الناس حقوقهم الدستورية والسياسية ومشاركتهم بصنع القرار السياسي ورفع الوصاية عنهم كون الشعب دوماً مصدر السلطات".
ووجه الحراك تساؤلات للنواب للإجابة عليها، وهي :- هل تبرئة أصحاب الكازينو تعبيراً عن إرادة الشعب ؟
- هل تبرئة الوزراء المعروفين لشعبنا تعبيراً عن إرادتنا ؟- هل ثقة الــ (111) دامت أكثر من أربعين يوماً ؟
- هل تم فتح ملفات الفوسفات ، البوتاس ، الإتصالات ، الكهرباء، المطار … ومجموعة الكابيتال وغيرها وغيرها من اختصاص غيركم ؟؟!!!
وختم الحراك بيانه" نطمئنكم أيها النواب ان التغيير قادم لا محالة".

جهاديو الأردن ينفون تهم الإرهاب

2012-01-22T16:55:00.002+02:00

الأربعاء 17/8/2011

محمد النجار-عمان

نفى المتهمون من أعضاء التيار السلفي الجهادي بالأردن وعددهم 150 متهما التهم الموجهة إليهم في الجلسة الثانية التي عقدتها محكمة أمن الدولة اليوم الأربعاء داخل أسوار سجن الموقر (50 كلم شرق عمان).

وتجري المحاكمة التي تعتبر الأكبر لأعضاء التيار في الأردن على خلفية المواجهات التي جرت بين منتمين للتيار ورجال الأمن بعد اعتصام أقيم بمدينة الزرقاء منتصف أبريل/نيسان الماضي وأدى إلى جرح العشرات من الشرطة، وفقا للرواية الرسمية، إضافة لجرح 12 من السلفيين.

وأجاب المتهمون الـ98 الذين يحاكمون حضوريا أمام المحكمة بأنهم غير مذنبين، ردا على سؤال القاضي لهم عن اتهام الادعاء العسكري لهم بتهمتي القيام بأعمال إرهابية وإثارة النعرات والفتن الطائفية.

ويحاكم 52 متهما غيابيا باعتبارهم "فارين من وجه العدالة"، كما يحاكم ضمن القضية شبان من غير المنتمين للتيار السلفي الجهادي وآخرون أكدوا أنهم لم يشاركوا باعتصام الزرقاء.

واستمعت المحكمة لشاهدي نيابة أحدهما من جهاز الأمن الوقائي والآخر من الأمن العام حول اعتقال الأول أحد المتهمين "من حملة الفكر التكفيري" وفقا لما جاء بشهادته.

واعترض المحامي ماجد اللفتاوي على إدانة الشاهد للمتهم مسبقا بأنه من حملة الفكر التكفيري، في حين أفاد الشاهد بأنه اعتقل المتهم بناء على أوامر من مسؤولين عنه.

وقال اللفتاوي للجزيرة نت إن الدفاع قرر العودة لحضور الجلسات التي قرر مقاطعتها الأسبوع الماضي بناء على طلب الأهالي الذين عبروا عن مخاوفهم من تأثير غياب الدفاع على أبنائهم.

ولفت إلى أن الدفاع كرر طعونه برفض التهم الموجهة للمتهمين والطعن بإجراءات الاعتقال والتحقيق والطعن بمكان المحاكمة، كما كرر الطلب من المحكمة الإفراج عن المتهمين مقابل كفالة نظرا لأن القضية ستحتاج لسنوات للانتهاء منها، حيث دعت النيابة نحو مائة شاهد في القضية في حين ينتظر أن يقدم الدفاع عددا أكبر من الشهود والبيّنات.

وفي بداية الجلسة تحدث منظر التيار في شمال الأردن أبو محمد الطحاوي الذي نفى تهمة الإرهاب عن أعضاء التيار، وقال إنهم نفذوا سبعة اعتصامات قبل اعتصام الزرقاء ولم تسجل أي مخالفة تذكر.

واتهم الطحاوي من وصفهم بـ"البلطجية" بالتسبب بالأحداث والاعتداء على شبان التيار السلفي الجهادي، وطالب المحكمة بإحضار البلطجية باعتبارهم طرفا في القضية وبيان إن كانوا مدنيين أم أعضاء في جهاز سري تابع لوزارة الداخلية.

اعتراض على المحكمة
وحضر المحاكمة المعارض البارز ليث شبيلات، ومقرر لجنة الحريات في النقابات المهنية المهندس ميسرة ملص.

واعتبر ملص في تعليق للجزيرة نت أن موقع المحكمة غير مناسب حيث إنها تجري داخل أسوار سجن، وتطبق على المحامين والحاضرين إجراءات السجون "وهو ما يتناقض مع إجراءات المحاكمة العادلة".

وتابع "القاعة التي يحاكم بها المتهمون لا يمكن اعتبارها قاعة محكمة فهي ضيقة للغاية ودرجة الحرارة فيها مرتفعة".

واعتبر ملص أن تاريخ محكمة أمن الدولة "غير مريح من ناحية استقلاليتها وعدالة أحكامها".

وأضاف "حجم التهمة وهي الإرهاب لا يتناسب مع حجم الفعل المتهم به المتهمون وهو حمل سكين أو قطعة خشب وحتى الاعتداء على رجال أمن"، معتبرا أن الأصل محاكمة المتهمين أمام القضاء المدني كونهم مدنيين.

واستغرب الناشط الحقوقي محاكمة السلفيين الجهاديين بتهم الإرهاب "بعد أن اقتنعوا بأساليب التعبير السلمي المدني من حيث التعبير عن آرائهم بطرق مدنية متوافقة مع أساليب المجتمع المدني".

وشهدت المحاكمة حضور نحو أربعين من أهالي المتهمين في القاعة التي انتقلت لها هيئة المحكمة، في حين نفذ العشرات من أهالي المعتقلين اعتصاما أمام السجن احتجاجا على استمرار اعتقال أبنائهم ورفض الإفراج عنهم بكفالة.

ورفع المعتصمون لافتات منها "الموقر=غوانتانامو"، وأخرى تنفي تهم الإرهاب عن المتهمين.

وقال القيادي البارز في التيار السلفي وسام العموش للجزيرة نت إن الأهالي سيتقدمون بطلبات جديدة لكفالة أبنائهم غدا، لافتا إلى استمرارهم بإجراءاتهم التصعيدية المتمثلة بإقامة الاعتصامات حيث سيقيمون اعتصاما الجمعة بمدينة السلط، في حين سينفذون اعتصاما الأحد المقبل أمام رئاسة الحكومة.

وكانت محكمة أمن الدولة حكمت الشهر الماضي بسجن منظر التيار السلفي الجهادي أبو محمد المقدسي لمدة خمس سنوات بتهمة دعم حركة طالبان.

نقابيو الإصلاح: ما يحدث بسوريا ينزع شرعية النظام

2012-01-22T16:54:00.003+02:00

2011-08-17

خبرني- دان تجمع نقابيون من اجل الاصلاح الاربعاء القمع الوحشي الذي يتعرض له الشعب السوري المطالب بالحرية والكرامة على يد قوات الامن السورية.
وقال التجمع في بيان حصلت "خبرني" على نسخة منه ان "ندين ممارسات السلطات السورية بالقتل والتنكيل والاعتقال والتعذيب للمعارضين المسالمين الذي يدعون الى الاصلاحات الجذرية في بلدهم لنستغرب ان كان متابعة الإرهابيين والجماعات والعصابات المدعومة من الخارج تبرر للسلطات هناك قتل المواطنين!".

وتاليا نص البيان:

يتابع "تجمع نقابيون من أجل الإصلاح" بقلق بالغ التصعيد الأمني والقمع الذي يقوم به النظام السوري ضد شعبه، ويرى أن سلوك الخيارات العسكرية في التعاطي مع المطالب الشعبية السلمية من شأنه أن يفاقم أزمة أي نظام سياسي وينزع الشرعية عنه.
وإذ نعلن وقوفنا إلى جانب شعبنا السوري المطالب بالحرية والعدالة والديمقراطية، و ووقوفنا معه في الكيفية التي من خلالها يقرر مصيره ويصوغ رؤيته السياسية المستقبلية ،فإننا نؤكد حرصنا القاطع على وحدة كامل التراب السوري، ورفضنا التدخل الأجنبي مهما كانت هويته، ومهما كانت ذرائعه، و حرصنا على استمرار موقف سوريا الداعم لخيار المقاومة إننا في "تجمع نقابيون من أجل الإصلاح" نحترم خصوصية الشعب السوري، والشعوب العربية كافة في أن تختار قياداتها الوطنية التي تدعم المقاومة ومعركة المواجهة الحتمية مع الكيان الصهيوني، ومع سائر قوى الشر والظلام التي لا تضمر الخير للشعوب العربية والإسلامية.
اننا اذ ندين ممارسات السلطات السورية بالقتل والتنكيل والاعتقال والتعذيب للمعارضين المسالمين الذي يدعون الى الاصلاحات الجذرية في بلدهم لنستغرب ان كان متابعة الإرهابيين والجماعات والعصابات المدعومة من الخارج تبرر للسلطات هناك قتل المواطنين!
فهل متابعة الارهابيين في دولة اجهزتها الامنية تعرف من يفكر بالعمل ضدها قبل ان يقوم بتنفيذه مبرر لقتل كل هولاء الشهداء واصابة كل هذا العدد من الجرحى و الزج بكل هذا العدد من المعتقلين بالسجون والتنكيل بهمّ!؟ اننا في التجمع ونحن ندافع بكل قوة عن المعارضين المسالمين لنرفض وبشدة ما قام به بعض المعارضين بعقد مؤتمرات للمعارضة بمشاركة الصهاينة والسلطات الغربية المتصهينة في الولايات المتحدة وفرنسا و غيرها من دول العالم.

الاتحاد العام لطلبة الاردن يؤيد القيادة السورية

2012-01-22T16:54:00.000+02:00

2011-08-17

خبرني- زعمت وكالة الإنباء السورية " سانا" اليوم الأربعاء انها تلقت بيانا من"الاتحاد العام لطلبة الأردن " يؤكد في وقوفه الى جانب القيادة السورية ضد المؤامرة .
ويمثل هذا الاتحاد المظلة التي تجمع كافة الطلبة الدارسين في الجامعات السورية، حيث يتعين على الطالب الذي يرغب بالدراسه هناك الحصول على وثيقة من الاتحاد تؤهله للالتحاق بالجامعات السورية.
وقال الوكالة السورية إنها تلقت بيانا من "الاتحاد العام لطلبة الأردن" يؤكد فيه "وقوفه إلى جانب سورية قيادة وشعبا ضد كل ما يستهدف سيادتها وقرارها وأمنها ووحدتها الوطنية مستغربا كل ما يصدر من بيانات تعطي غطاء للتدخل الصهيوامريكي وحلفائه في الشؤون الداخلية لسورية".
وأكد الاتحاد في بيان له أن" سورية رقم صعب وان المساس بها هو مساس بالكرامة العربية وأن التآمر عليها تآمر على الأمة العربية منوها بمواقفها القومية من أجل فلسطين ولبنان والعراق وغيرها من الأقطار العربية". على حد وصف الوكالة .
وأشار البيان إلى أن "الشعب العربي لن ينسى القواعد الأمريكية في المنطقة والتي قتلت أكثر من مليوني عراقي وشردت خمسة ملايين مؤكدا أن جميع شرفاء الأمة العربية سيقفون سدا منيعا بوجه كل المؤامرات التي تستهدف سورية والأمة العربية وسيكونون معها صفا واحدا".
من جانبه اصدر المكتب الإعلامي لاتحاد طلبة الجامعة الأردنيّة الأربعاء بيانا حصلت " خبرني " تمنى فيه نجاح الثورة السورية ودان ممارسات النظام الوحشية بحق شعبه.
وقال البيان " إننا كاتحاد شبابيّ لا علاقة تحكمنا سوى الشعور الإنساني تجاه إخواننا الشباب و ما يواجهونه في شتّى المدن السوريّة من حمامات للدم طالت بشكل مفزع حتى الأطفال و النساء نندّد بهذه الممارسات غير الإنسانية القمعيّة لهذا النظام ".
وتاليا نص بيان اتحاد طلبة الجامعة الأردنية :
وبعد مرور ستة اشهر على قيام الشعب السوري بانتفاضته المجرّدة المطالبة بأبسط حقوقه التي تقتضي بكرامة عيش و حرية طالما فقدها حدّا بلغ به السيل الزبى و بعد أن عاف هذا الشعب الحر نظامه الذي نشر وحشيّته بإجرام ظالم و بقمع غير مسبوق بمثيل جرّد فيه كل معنى للإنسانية فضلا عن القيم الدينيّة.. و بعد أن تجرّع هذا الشعب القهر و الذلّ قتلا و سجنا و تشريدا لأكثر من نصف قرن و خرج بحراكه الشبابيّ الجريء و بكلّ سلميّة تذكر ضدّ حكم سرطانيّ الانتشار عاث في كل بقعة من قلب الشام بظلم و قمع مذهل نجدنا نحن في اتحاد الطلبة في الجامعة الأردنية نقف إلى ثورة الشباب الذين خرجوا معلنين الموت في سبيل كرامة العيش على حياة المذمّة والمذلّة .
لقد ثار الشباب كلّه,, بشتى انتماءاته الحزبية والفكرية والدينية .. ومن غير تخطيط ومن دون قيادة داخلية أو خارجية .. وهو في ثورته تلك لم يستشر العلماء ولا المفكرين ولا أصحاب التجارب السياسيّة وغير السياسيّة لأنّه فقد الأمل من الجميع خصوصاً وهو يرى بعض كبار العلماء أبواق سوء وكذب وافتراء، فهي تدافع عن القاتل ضدّ الضحيّة من غير مشاهدة ولا محاكمة ولا حوار عادل ، في وقت نرى فيه تصعيد للسلطات السورية من سياستها القمعية حين حاصرت المدن وعزلتها عن العالم من أجل ترويع المواطنين وإجبارهم على الخضوع و في الوقت الذي لم يظهر النظام السوري أي إرادة واضحة في الاستجابة ولو للحد الأدنى من مطالب المحتجين السلميين . .
نعم ثار شباب سوريّا الأبيّة ضدّ الظلم ، لكنّ ثورته بتلك الصورة لا تعفي العلماءَ والمفكّرين و النشطاء والإعلاميين و الشباب في ميادينهم المختلفة أن يقفوا إلى جانب هؤلاء الشباب ، وأن يباركوا ثورتهم لا أن يقفوا في طريقها.
بدورنا كاتحاد شبابيّ لا بعلاقة تحكمنا سوى الشعور الإنساني تجاه إخواننا الشباب و ما يواجهونه في شتّى المدن السوريّة من حمامات للدم طالت بشكل مفزع حتى الأطفال و النساء نندّد هذه الممارسات غير الإنسانية القمعيّة لهذا النظام المتوغّل و ندعو الى ضرورة التفاف المبادرات من الجميع و بشكل موحّد لحقن المزيد من الدماء .. و نغتنم فضيلة هذا الشهر الكريم بالدعاء لهم بأن يعجّل الله في نجاح ثورتهم وأن يخفّف الله آلامهم و يحقّق لهم آمالهم .. إنّه القادر على ذلك و المجيب ..

Jordan: Rifts in the valley

2012-01-19T12:50:00.001+02:00

WARNING: Article contains propaganda!

* * * * *

August 15, 2011
By Tobias Buck

King Abdullah held on to the brown leather folder for only the briefest of moments, as if grasping a hot stone, before passing it to his son. Crown Prince Hussein, too, wasted not a moment before handing the elegantly bound document, containing 42 proposed amendments to the Jordanian constitution, to the official at his side.

The monarch’s broad smile and effusive rhetoric at a palace ceremony in the capital Amman on Sunday told a different story, however: “The recommendations concerning provisions of our constitution that have been presented here today to me is solid proof of Jordan’s ability to revitalize itself,” he said. The country, he added with visible pride, was “heading confidently towards the future to build the new Jordan”.

The proposed changes to the 1952 constitution are the work of a panel of experts established this year by the palace. Though they fall short of dismantling the king’s sweeping powers, they have been welcomed by most reform activists as a step in the right direction. The changes include the creation of a constitutional court, independent election oversight, steps to curb the powers of the secretive security courts and making it harder to dissolve parliament – measures long demanded by the opposition.

Important as they are in themselves, the proposed reforms also serve a much larger purpose. They represent a crucial part of Jordan’s answer to the wave of political unrest that has swept the Arab world this year – and that has triggered street demonstrations and unusually frank calls for change in the kingdom itself.

Jordan’s pro-democracy protests might seem timid set against the bloody convulsions in neighboring Syria or faraway Libya. But even inside the royal palace, no one doubts that regional turmoil and domestic discontent have presented a searing challenge to the regime as it seeks to balance a desire to preserve stability with the public’s growing demands for economic and political reform.

It is a balancing act that has repercussions far beyond the borders of the Hashemite kingdom. For a start, Jordan is widely seen as a test case for the ability of Arab regimes to pursue democratic reforms from within the system. Unlike other Arab dynasties, King Abdullah’s can still draw on a reservoir of legitimacy and goodwill. Some believe this gives the country a chance of engineering a peaceful and incremental transition to democracy – if the right decisions are made now.

Jordan matters to governments in the region and beyond, furthermore, because it has long played a uniquely important strategic role in the Middle East. Amman is a staunch western ally, a significant US client and a reliable partner for both Israel and the Palestinians. It also enjoys excellent relations with the conservative monarchies and sheikhdoms of the Gulf, especially Saudi Arabia.

As one senior western diplomat in Amman points out: “The overriding interest of all these countries is the same: keeping Jordan stable.”

Indeed, the kingdom serves as an invaluable buffer for Israel and the Gulf states alike, shielding them from the chaos that so often torments the region. Israeli leaders, in particular, worry deeply about their eastern neighbor: the future of Israel’s alliance with Egypt is already in doubt, potentially leaving Jordan as its only partner in the Arab world.

Fear of turmoil is not confined to Jordan’s royal palace and allies abroad, however; it is deeply ingrained in society. “Nobody here wants a civil war or chaos or even instability,” says Oraib al-Rantawi, the director of the Al-Quds Center, a reformist think-tank in Amman.

Many analysts and diplomats point to Jordan’s societal make-up as a big factor. It is split between established East Bankers (Native Jordanians), or trans-Jordanians (Native Jordanians), and marginalized West Bankers (Palestinian Jordanians), Jordanians of Palestinian origin. The two groups each account for roughly half the population of about 6.5m, and frequently eye one another with suspicion. The events of Black September in 1970, when Palestinian militants challenged the rule of King Hussein, Abdullah’s father, sparking a brief but bloody civil war, are etched deeply into political consciousness.

“We don’t want to make a leap into the unknown,” says Nawaf Tell, a former Jordanian diplomat who now heads the Center for Strategic Studies in Amman. “Countries like Tunisia and Egypt can afford uncertainty – but Jordan can’t.”

The fear – shared by East Bankers and West Bankers alike – is that any challenge to the regime will unleash confrontation between the two sides. Indeed, the fledgling opposition movement was dealt a severe blow in March, when a protest camp in the center of Amman came under attack from East Bank “loyalists”. The clashes were sparked by rumors the protests were a Palestinian-led effort to weaken the monarchy. The charges had little grounding in reality (most opposition activists were themselves East Bankers (Native Jordanians)) but they forced protest leaders to back down all the same.

. . .

Last month, street protests returned to the capital: one took place outside the royal palace as King Abdullah was hailing the reform proposals. But even opposition activists admit they are a long way from leading a mass movement. The regime clearly has played its part in calming the situation. Since the start of the year, the king and his governments have taken care to show, through a well-publicized blizzard of measures and maneuvers, readiness to address popular discontent.

In January, the government announced it would raise public sector salaries and pensions, and bolster food and energy subsidies. In February, King Abdullah sacked the unpopular government and appointed a new prime minister. He went on to establish the constitutional reform panel and a separate national dialogue committee. The latter reported back in June, suggesting modest revisions to electoral and political party law. The king was quick to endorse the proposals, and promised speedy implementation. Now, in the most important step to date, he has signaled his readiness to rewrite the constitution.

Critics contend that nothing proposed so far is likely to make more than a modest dent in the king’s sweeping powers; he will still be able to appoint and sack prime ministers as he pleases. Nor would the proposals do much to address the under-representation of largely urban West Bank Jordanians (Palestinian Jordanians) in parliament, which is dominated by rural constituencies.

Skepticism lingers even after Sunday’s announcement on the constitution. “This is the classical pattern of reform from above,” says Mustafa Hamarneh, a political analyst. “I think they now see that they have to move forward, but the real test is how far they are ready to go on the ground. They have given the signal – now they must lead the charge.”

According to some observers, the reform process is complicated by a lack of consensus on what is needed – and how much reform the country can stomach. Fault lines are plentiful, and extend far beyond the rift between East Bankers (Native Jordanians) and West Bankers (Palestinian Jordanians). The reform debate pits economic liberalisers against insiders fearful of losing their privileges; and supporters of immediate democratic transition against backers of incremental constitutional reform.

“The king realizes that there is a need for reform, but people are screaming in all kinds of different directions,” says the senior western diplomat in Amman. What is more, some of the screaming is now directed at the palace itself: “People are much more openly critical, not to the point where they question the existence of the monarchy but where they question the choice of people around [the king],” the diplomat adds.

Though feted in the west, King Abdullah is not accorded the same respect and devotion at home as his father. He is said to lack King Hussein’s ability to charm and manipulate leaders of the East Bank tribes, the Hashemite dynasty’s traditional power base. Since the founding of the state in 1922, the tribes and the Hashemites have been bound by an implicit agreement, whereby the former offer unflinching loyalty in exchange for economic and political privileges.

“The East Bankers are now asking a question to the monarchy: ‘This deal that we agreed many decades ago – is it still on?’ So far, they have not heard an answer,” says one well-placed Jordanian observer. East Bankers grumble that the king has surrounded himself with a coterie of wealthy, westernized West Bank Jordanians (Palestinian Jordanians). The fact that his wife, Queen Rania, comes from a Palestinian family has provided further fuel for tribal mistrust.

Most analysts and diplomats caution against reading too much into such complaints. The idea of replacing the king or abandoning the monarchy, they say, remains anathema to the vast majority of Jordanians. He faces neither a strong opposition at home nor political pressure from abroad. Unlike so many rulers in the region, he has the time to make incremental changes.

. . .

One ticking clock the regime cannot ignore, however, is the economy. Jordan, which lacks both oil and water, has long lived beyond its means, making it dependent on the generosity of governments in the US, Europe and the Gulf. Money will almost certainly continue to flow, especially if the country fulfills its goal of joining the Gulf Co-operation Council, a Saudi-led grouping of oil-rich nations. Such transfers, however, may not be enough to cancel out the hit to Jordan’s budget from the rise in global commodity prices – and the corresponding need to boost subsidies for a restive population.

“The protesters raise a number of issues but all of them, if you examine them carefully, have to do with the same thing. Everything revolves around youth unemployment and the bad economic situation,” says Adnan Abu-Odeh, a former minister and ex-head of the royal court.

Economists argue that to boost growth and expand economic opportunities, Jordan will have to prune its bloated public sector and the privileges of regime supporters. Yet few believe such steps will be taken in the current climate. “You cannot take tough decisions without representation,” says a former Jordanian diplomat. “Economic reforms will hit many parts of society hard, and to do that without representation, without accountability and with corruption – that is a recipe for disaster.”

The problem of how to combine economic overhaul with democratic reform adds another layer of complexity. To progress down one track while ignoring the other will be hard. To move ahead on both simultaneously will take skill, determination and a reformist mindset few policymakers in Amman seem to have. “There are,” says Mr Hamarneh, “very few real democrats in the executive.”

Sunday’s announcement of a constitutional overhaul signals that the palace is aware of the risk of standing still. In Jordan, however, it rarely pays to bet against the status quo...

Jordan Islamists see proposed constitutional amendments inadequate

2012-01-19T12:48:00.002+02:00

By ABDUL JALIL MUSTAFA | ARAB NEWS
Aug 15, 2011

AMMAN: Jordan’s main opposition party, the Islamic Action Front (IAF), said Monday the recommended amendments to the constitution included "positive aspects”, but fell short of meeting the people’s aspirations.

"We see that the amendments, despite their importance, do not respond completely to the demands of the Jordanian people, given the transformations currently experienced by the region,” the IAF said in a statement.

A royal committee that was set up three months ago by King Abdullah for the revision of the constitution submitted its recommendations to the monarch on Sunday.

The king described the proposed amendments as a "historical” achievement that put Jordan on the threshold of a new era of political reform.

The panel proposed, among other things, the setting up of a constitutional court, the supervision of general elections by an independent body, the trial of cabinet ministers by civil courts and strictly defining the need for the government to adopt temporary laws.

The IAF, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood movement, described the proposed amendments as "positive aspects”, but demanded further revisions of the constitution in order to ensure "a promising transition to the future and to surmount the crisis we live”.

The further amendments proposed by Islamists included naming prime ministers from coalitions enjoying parliamentary majorities and the election of the upper house of Parliament.

"These amendments will prove that the nation is the source of powers and elevates Jordan to the rank of democratic states,” the IAF statement said.

So far, the king used to appoint prime ministers and to name members of the upper house, the senate, from citizens with outstanding records in the public life.

King Abdullah set up the royal committee for the revision of the constitution in May at the height of pro-reform protests that were inspired by the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt.

Jordan MPs want Israeli envoy expelled

2012-01-14T12:40:00.002+02:00

Sun Aug 14, 2011

Thirteen members of Jordan's parliament have called on their government to expel the Israeli ambassador from the Jordanian capital of Amman.

In a memo signed and passed on to Jordan's Lower House Speaker Feisal Fayez on Sunday, the Jordanian lawmakers also called on their government to condemn Tel Aviv's illegal settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories, Xinhua reported.

Jordan and Egypt remain the only two Arab countries to have diplomatic relations with Tel Aviv.

Israel recently approved the construction of 1,600 illegal units in the Ramat Shlomo neighborhood in East al-Quds (Jerusalem).

The plan was announced last year after Israel resumed the expansion of illegal settlements following a 10-month partial freeze that prompted the Palestinian Authority (PA) leaders to break off US-sponsored talks with Tel Aviv that had resumed after a lengthy stalemate.

The approval has been condemned by the international community.

Robert Serry, UN coordinator for the Middle East, called it a “provocative action [as it] undermines ongoing efforts by the international community to bring the parties [Palestine and Israel] back to negotiations.”

Israel, however, claims the construction plan has been put forward because Tel Aviv currently faces an “economic crisis.”

Moreover, Israel has announced plans to authorize the construction of a further 2,700 illegal units.

Jordan vows reforms to avert protests

2012-01-14T12:39:00.002+02:00

Mon Aug 15, 2011

Jordan's King Abdullah II has backed proposals for constitutional reforms that grants more powers to the parliament while critics cry foul, insisting that such reforms are not authentic.

King Abdullah agreed on Sunday to changes in the nearly 60-year-old constitution of the country amid escalating protests that demand for real political reforms and an end to government corruption, the Associated Press reported.

The critics have censured the reforms as not sufficient, stressing that they still allow Abdullah to maintain most of his absolute powers. They also emphasize that the introduction of constitutional changes is intended to avert growing popular protests against the regime's dictatorial rule.

"This is part of the government's gimmicks to block real reforms," said Wael Atout, a 28-year-old anti-regime protester, adding that "The changes are insufficient; we said we want to be able to elect our prime ministers."

In April, the king of Jordan appointed a panel to introduce amendments to the kingdom's 1952 constitution. The panel submitted its proposals to king Abdullah on Sunday.

Jordan's constitution has been widely criticized for marginalizing the parliament and limiting its powers.

The amendments are slated to pave the way for choosing a premier from a parliamentary majority rather than having one selected by the autocratic monarch.

It will also prepare the ground for the creation of institutions that guarantee that the state respects the constitution and lives up to its principles.

The proposed amendments are expected to be approved by mid-September.

Protest rallies have been staged across Jordan for seven months to push the government to increase the powers of the parliament. Jordanians are also demanding lower prices for food, a greater participation in politics, and the election of a prime minister.

Jordanian lawmakers call for expelling Israeli ambassador

2012-01-14T12:38:00.003+02:00

AMMAN (BNO NEWS) — Thirteen Jordanian parliament members on Sunday called for expelling the Israeli ambassador to Jordan in response to “Israeli offenses against the Palestinian people,” Ammon News reported.

A parliamentary memo signed by several MPs also called on the Jordanian government to issue a statement to condemn the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Jordan and Israel signed a peace treaty in 1994 to normalize diplomatic relations, which saw the exchange of diplomatic missions in Amman and Tel Aviv. Trade and social relations between the two countries, however, have not seen the level of normalization as was expected.

Israel announced earlier this week plans to develop new units in East Jerusalem, which the Palestinians want as the capital of their future State. The announcement came after Israel lifted last September a 10-month freeze on settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Israeli-Palestinian peace talks have been stalled since Israel refused to extend the freeze. Palestine demanded a stop to settlement construction in East Jerusalem and the West Bank area as a key element for continuing peace talks, aimed at reaching a two-state solution based on the 1967 Green Line.

East Jerusalem was captured by Israel during the Six-Day War in 1967 when it also occupied the West Bank and Gaza, which the Palestinians seek as constituent parts of their State.

Sunday, August 14th, 2011

تعديلات لدستور الأردن تحصّن البرلمان

2012-01-14T12:38:00.000+02:00

الأحد 14/8/2011

قيدت صلاحيات الملك في حله
تعديلات لدستور الأردن تحصّن البرلمان

تسلم ملك الأردن عبد الله الثاني مساء الأحد التعديلات المقترحة على الدستور الأردني, التي تضمنت تعديلات جوهرية خاصة من جهة تحصينها للبرلمان من الحل، وهي تعديلات وصفها الملك بالتاريخية.

وتضمنت التعديلات إضافة مواد جديدة أهمها إنشاء محكمة دستورية تم حصر الطعن أمامها في الحكومة والبرلمان، وإنشاء هيئة مستقلة للانتخابات، وخفض سن المرشح للبرلمان إلى 25 سنة، وجعل القضاء مختصا في الفصل في نيابة أعضاء مجلس النواب، حيث كان المجلس هو الذي ينظر بالطعون في أعضائه.

البرلمان والحكومة
وألزمت التعديلات الحكومة التي تحل البرلمان بالاستقالة خلال أسبوع، وألا يغيب البرلمان أكثر من أربعة أشهر في حال حله. وفي حال لم تجر الانتخابات في هذه الفترة يعود المجلس المنحل للانعقاد، كما رفعت مدة الدورة العادية من أربعة إلى ستة أشهر، وانتخاب رئيس مجلس النواب كل سنتين بدلا من سنة.

كما قيدت التعديلات إصدار القوانين المؤقتة في فترة غياب البرلمان في ثلاث حالات، هي الحرب والكوارث والنفقات التي لا تحتمل التأجيل.

ونصت على محاكمة الوزراء أمام القضاء العادي وأن يسمح للبرلمان باتهام الوزراء بالأغلبية المطلقة لا بأغلبية الثلثين، كما هو منصوص حاليا.

ولم تتطرق التعديلات لصلاحيات الملك في الدستور، خاصة حقه في اختيار رئيس الوزراء، غير أنها قيدت صلاحياته في حل البرلمان, ونصت على ضرورة عقد الانتخابات خلال أربعة أشهر فقط من حل مجلس النواب.

كما نصت التعديلات على ضرورة عرض معاهدات الصلح, والتحالف، والتجارة, والملاحة, وكل أنواع المعاهدات والاتفاقات على مجلس النواب, وألا تكون الشروط السرية في المعاهدات مناقضة للشروط العلنية.

وفي مجال القضاء, نصت التعديلات على إنشاء مجلس قضائي يتولى شؤون القضاء، والنص على أن يكون القضاء الإداري أمام محكمة العدل العليا على درجتين بدلا من درجة واحدة كما هو معمول حاليا.

ومن أبرز التعديلات في مجال القضاء هو النص على تقييد صلاحيات محكمة أمن الدولة بالنظر في قضايا الإرهاب, والخيانة العظمى, والتجسس, والنص على منع محاكمة المدنيين أمام المحكمة التابعة للقضاء العسكري.

سقف زمني
وفي كلمة ألقاها في حفل إفطار أقيم بهذه المناسبة في قصر رغدان وسط عمان, وصف ملك الأردن التعديلات بـ "التاريخية. وقال "نقدم اليوم لشعبنا العزيز ولأجيال الحاضر والمستقبل هذه المراجعات والتعديلات التاريخية التي تعكس مستوى النضوج السياسي والقانوني الذي وصل إليه الأردنيون، وهم على أبواب مئوية دولتهم التي تأسست على قواعد الحرية والوحدة والمساواة".

وحدد الملك مدة شهر لإقرار هذه التعديلات وفق القنوات الدستورية تمهيدا لإقرار قانوني الانتخاب والأحزاب ليضافا إلى قانوني البلديات ونقابة المعلمين لاستكمال المسيرة الإصلاحية، كما حدد سقفا زمنيا لا يتجاوز الربع الأخير من هذا العام لإنجاز هذه القوانين كافة.

وقال عبد الله الثاني "لقد أمرت بالقيام بهذه المراجعات للنصوص الدستورية وإجراء بعض التعديلات عليها انطلاقا من مسؤوليتي وواجبي تجاه شعبي العزيز، وتلبية طموحاته، وما فيه الخير له، في الحاضر والمستقبل".

وكان لافتا دعوته لأن "يتحول الحراك الشعبي الوطني إلى عمل مؤسسي ومشاركة شعبية فاعلة في التشريع وتشكيل الحكومات حتى نخرج من دائرة رفع الشعارات إلى توفير القنوات لممارستها باعتبارها حزبية أو نقابية أو شبابية، وفي إطار عملية سياسية مؤسسية تحترم تداول الحكومات، من خلال حكومات برلمانية، وعبر عملية انتخابيه عصرية على أساس أحزاب ذات برامج وطنية".

وفي كلمة له أمام الملك, شدد رئيس لجنة تعديل الدستور -رئيس الوزراء الأسبق أحمد اللوزي- على أن المراجعة الدستورية تمت "بمنهجية وعقلانية وموضوعية بعيدا عن الانفعال باللحظة الراهنة والآراء المسبقة واستجابة واعية لمقتضيات المستقبل"، في إشارة فهمت على أن التعديلات لم تتم تحت ضغط المطالب الشعبية.

وفيما كان أعضاء السلطات التشريعية والتنفيذية والقضائية وقادة الأحزاب وإعلاميون في حضرة الملك تجمع العشرات من شبان "الحراك الشبابي الأردني" في إفطار تقشفي احتجاجا على ما أسموه "ترقيع الدستور".

وهتف الشبان "اسمع اسمع يا نظام شعب الأردن ما ينضام"، و"يا عبد الله يا بن حسين أراضي الشعب راحت وين".

ودعا موظف في الديوان الملكي الشبان لحضور طعام الإفطار باسم الملك، غير أنهم اعتذروا كون إفطارهم كان "تقشفيا"، وفق ما ذكروا.

فعاليات ليلية تندد بـ'البلطجة' على المطالبين بالاصلاح

2012-01-14T12:36:00.002+02:00

2011-08-15

خبرني- شارك عشرات المواطنين بعد صلاة التراويح ليل الأحد الاثنين في اعتصام دعت إليه لجنة حراك مأدبا والمؤلفة من عدة أحزاب وتجمعات منها الحركة الإسلامية وممثلين عن أحزاب أخرى إمام مبنى بلدية مأدبا وسط المدينة .
واستنكر المعتصمون الاعتداءات التي تعرض لها معتصمون في مدينة الكرك الجمعة الماضية من قبل " بلطجية" وأكدوا أيضا على مطالبهم السابقة بالإصلاح.
ونوه المنظمون بان هذا الفعاليات ستكون دورية خلال الشهر المبارك.
إلى ذلك انطلقت مسيرة مساء الأحد من أمام المسجد الكبير نحو دار المحافظة في الطفيلة جنوب الأردن ، تنديدا بالاعتداء الذي تعرض له الحراك الشبابي والشعبي في محافظة الكرك يوم الجمعة الماضي .
واستنكر المشاركون تساهل الحكومة مع اعمال البلطجة في الشارع الاردني.
ولوحظ ارتفاعا غير مسبوق في الهتافات التي رددها المشاركون في المسيرة ،إلى جانب الهتافات التي تحيي الحراك الشعبي في مختلف محافظات المملكة ،وتندد باعتداءات البلطجية على المطالبين بالإصلاح .

ونظم التجمع الإصلاحي لشباب حي الطفايلة في عمان بعد صلاة التراوح ليل الأحد الاثنين, مسيرة سلمية طالبت بالجدية في تحقيق الإصلاحات ومحاربة الفساد.

ونددت المسيرة باستمرار سياسة البلطجة في الشارع وكان آخرها الاعتداء على معتصمين في الكرك.
وحاول البعض قطع الطريق على المسيرة والاعتداء عليها إلا أنها أكملت طريقها .
الى ذلك دانت اللجنة التنسيقية لاحزاب المعارضة والحراك الشبابي في مخيم البقعة الاثنين الاعتداء الذي تعرض له مشاركون في اعتصام في مدينة الكرك الجمعة الماضية .
وقال الحراك في بيان حصلت " خبرني " على نسخة منه "إن المتتبع لما تتعرض له المسيرات والاعتصامات السلمية المطالبة بالإصلاح من اعتداءات يدرك ان البلطجة لم تعد عملا فرديا ومعزولا بقدر ما تمثل سياسية رسمية تنتهجها الدولة بهدف ضرب الشارع بالشارع".
وأضاف البيان "إن اللجنة التنسيقية أحزاب المعارضة والحراك الشبابي في مخيم البقعة إذ يستنكرون تلك السياسة الرسمية ،يحملون الدولة بأجهزتها الأمنية المسؤولية عن تلك الاعتداءات نتيجة لتقصيرها عن القيام بواجبها في حماية المواطنين".
وتابع "إن ما تعرضت له مسيرة الكرك يوم الجمعة الماضية يضاف إلى سلسلة الممارسات المنبوذة التي تمارسها الدولة من خلال سعيها إلى ضرب اللحمة الوطنية بين مكونات المجتمع الأردني، وتجاوزت ذلك إلى محاولة تفتيت أهل العشيرة الواحدة".
وأشار إلى أن" تنسيقية الأحزاب والحراك الشبابي في البقعة تؤكد على أن سياسة البلطجة الرسمية لن تثني الشارع المطالب بالإصلاح عن مواصلة مطالبة المشروعة، وتحذر في حال مواصلة تلك السياسة من جر البلاد إلى حالة من الاحتقان لا تحمد عقباها".
وختم البيان "وهنا فعلى الأجهزة الأمنية القيام بواجبها وعلى الحكومة وضع حد لهذه الممارسات غير القانونية ومحاسبة المسؤولين عنها واتخاذ الإجراءات القانونية بحقهم.والمبادرة بالاستجابة إلى مطالب الشعب الأردني بالإصلاح بسرعة وقيل فوات الأوان".
وقال الحراك في بيان حصلت " خبرني " على نسخة منه "إن المتتبع لما تتعرض له المسيرات والاعتصامات السلمية المطالبة بالإصلاح من اعتداءات يدرك ان البلطجة لم تعد عملا فرديا ومعزولا بقدر ما تمثل سياسية رسمية تنتهجها الدولة بهدف ضرب الشارع بالشارع".
وأضاف البيان "إن اللجنة التنسيقية أحزاب المعارضة والحراك الشبابي في مخيم البقعة إذ يستنكرون تلك السياسة الرسمية ،يحملون الدولة بأجهزتها الأمنية المسؤولية عن تلك الاعتداءات نتيجة لتقصيرها عن القيام بواجبها في حماية المواطنين".
وتابع "إن ما تعرضت له مسيرة الكرك يوم الجمعة الماضية يضاف إلى سلسلة الممارسات المنبوذة التي تمارسها الدولة من خلال سعيها إلى ضرب اللحمة الوطنية بين مكونات المجتمع الأردني، وتجاوزت ذلك إلى محاولة تفتيت أهل العشيرة الواحدة".
وأشار إلى أن" تنسيقية الأحزاب والحراك الشبابي في البقعة تؤكد على أن سياسة البلطجة الرسمية لن تثني الشارع المطالب بالإصلاح عن مواصلة مطالبة المشروعة، وتحذر في حال مواصلة تلك السياسة من جر البلاد إلى حالة من الاحتقان لا تحمد عقباها".
وختم البيان "وهنا فعلى الأجهزة الأمنية القيام بواجبها وعلى الحكومة وضع حد لهذه الممارسات غير القانونية ومحاسبة المسؤولين عنها واتخاذ الإجراءات القانونية بحقهم.والمبادرة بالاستجابة إلى مطالب الشعب الأردني بالإصلاح بسرعة وقيل فوات الأوان".

الرمثا : وفاة طارق الخالدي متأثرا بجراحه

2012-01-13T11:25:00.002+02:00

2011-08-14

خبرني – إسلام حوامدة
توفي صباح الأحد المواطن الأردني طارق الخالدي ( 20 عاما) داخل مستشفى الملك عبد الله المؤسس في الرمثا متأثرا بجراحه البالغة اثر اصابته في رأسه بعد إطلاق النار عليه من قبل قناص في مدينة حمص السورية قبل ايام بحسب ما ابلغ " خبرني " حابس الخالدي ابن عم طارق .
من جانبه قال مدير مستشفى الملك عبد الله المؤسس د. زياد الناصر لــ" خبرني " إن طارق الخالدي الذي دخل بحالة موت دماغي "تدهور وضعه الصحي بشكل كبيرجدا وأصيب بقصور كلوي حاد قبل ان يتوقف قلبه عن الساعة الرابعة من فجر الاحد ,وحاول الاطباء ما بوسعهم لانقاذه , الا انه لفظ انفاسه الاخيرة ليتنقل الى رحمة الله" .
وكان المرحوم طارق ادخل مستشفى الملك عبد الله المؤسس الخميس الماضي ,حيث أجريت له عدة عمليات جراحية ,ولكن كانت إصابته بالغة جدا لم تمهله سوى ايام قليلة .
وتعرض الخالدي لإصابة بالغة برصاص قناص من شبيحة النظام السوري – بحسب ذويه - يوم الثامن من رمضان أثناء ذهابه لتناول طعام الإفطار مع أقربائه في منطقة دير بعلبة في محافظة حمص .
ويرتبط طارق الذي يسكن في محافظة المفرق بصلة نسب مع السوريين من ناحية الأم .

المصدر: خبرني.
الرابط: http://www.khaberni.com/more.php?newsid=60049.

السوريون يواصلون هربهم الى الاردن

2012-01-12T13:42:00.003+02:00

2011-08-13

خبرني- لأول مرة تسجل حركة دخول سوريين عبر الحدود الاردنية السورية إلى اراضي المملكة بشكل لافت للانتباه بعد احداث العنف التي تشهدها المناطق السورية والحصار المفروض على مواطنيها من قبل اجهزة الجيش السوري.

ووفق صحيفة العرب اليوم فانه وخلال المتابعات الميدانية لوضع المقيمين السوريين في محافظة المفرق فإن اعدادهم اخذت بالتزايد في الاونة الاخيرة من خلال لجوئهم إلى اقاربهم وانسبائهم في عدد من القرى القريبة من الحدود السورية لوجود مناطق تتشابه فيها العشيرة والمنطقة ما بين المحافظات السورية والمفرق وخصوصا في البادية الشمالية.

وحسب حديث احد اقارب المواطنين الذي وصل قبل ايام ويقطن في حمص وكان شاهد عيان على العديد من الحوادث فان اردنيا توجه قبل اسابيع لزيارة اقاربه السوريين الا انه اصيب بعيار ناري من قبل الاجهزة الامنية السورية وتم نقله على الفور من حمص إلى الحدود الاردنية تمهيدا لاستكمال علاجه في احدى المستشفيات الاردنية.

واشار ان حمص من المناطق الاكثر تواجدا لأقارب اردنيين وسوريين وباعداد كبيرة وهناك المئات متواجدة في مناطق البادية وزيدت في الاونة الاخيرة عقب الاحداث الامنية الصعبة في سورية. واوضح ان هناك تشددا على دخول الاردنيين من الجانب السوري واجراءات صعبة لا يمكن وصفها من خلال تعليمات مشددة تم اتخاذها بهذا الشأن منذ فترة.

وكشف بان هناك اعتقالات عشوائية في حمص بينهم اردنيون مصيرهم ما زال مجهولا جراء الاجراءات التي تقوم بها اجهزة النظام السوري.

وتطرق عدد من الشباب السوريين الذين وصلوا المفرق قادمين من درعا بانهم تعرضوا لاعتقالات في السجون السورية وتعرضوا لأشد انواع التعذيب على يد اجهزة الأمن السورية وبعد خروجهم قرروا المغادرة والسفر إلى الاردن والاقامة عند اقاربهم القاطنين في محافظة المفرق لحين تهدئة الاوضاع الامنية في سورية, مشيرين أن درعا ما زالت محاصرة من قبل الجيش السوري واجراءات تفتيش مستمرة لمنع خروج ودخول الاهالي للمدينة ومنع التظاهر السلمي.

من جهة اخرى ابلغت مصادر مطلعة العرب اليوم ان الحدود الاردنية السورية ستبقى مفتوحة امام الاشقاء السوريين بحيث يتم انجاز معاملاتهم بكل سهول من دون عوائق شريطة احضار كافة المعلومات والوثائق المطلوبة للسماح لهم بالدخول للحدود الاردنية وضمن التعليمات الموضوعة بهذا الخصوص.

وهناك اجراءات تفتيش مشددة للمركبات الداخلة والخارجة للحدود لمنع محاولات تهريب البضائع والاشخاص على ضوء ما تشهده دول الجوار من احداث يتطلب اتخاذ المزيد من الاجراءات الاحترازية لذلك.

واشارت المصادر ان مشكلة سائقي البحارة في طريقها للحل بعد المشاكل الكبيرة التي سببها البعض بعملية شراء البضائع من المنطقة الحرة من خلال العمل على تصويب اوضاعها لفتح المجال امام المسافرين بانجاز معاملاتهم دون تأخير كون البحارة سببت ازدحاما امام مسارب الدخول والخروج.

واضافت المصادر ان هناك حركة خروج من بعض الجنسيات وخصوصا الخليجية من سوريا والتي عبرت في الأيام الماضية عبر الحدود السورية باعداد كبيرة وقدمت لها كافة التسهيلات المطلوبة كون حدود جابر المنفذ البري الوحيد للخليج العربي القادمين من سوريا ولبنان ولضمان وصولها إلى مقاصدها دون مشاكل, موضحين ان الجنسيات الاخرى يتم معاملتها بنفس الاجراءات المتخذة لدخول وخروج المسافرين القادمين والمغادرين للحدود الاردنية السورية.

القبس:الاسد يتهم الاردن بدعم الثورة السورية

2012-01-12T13:42:00.000+02:00

2011-08-13

خبرني- فجرت صحيفة القبس الكويتية اليوم السبت مفاجأة حين كشفت نقلا عن مصادر لها في عمان قولها ان الرئيس السوري بشار الاسد رفض مؤخرا وساطة اردنية لوقف حمام الدم هنالك .
وقالت المصادر : إن الأسد رفض "الوساطة الأردنية"، واتهم المملكة بأنها وراء "دعم الثورة في بلاده ووراء تهريب السلاح وإدخال العناصر التخريبية".
وكانت تقارير صحفية اشارت الى وجود اتصالات سرية بين مسؤولين اردنيين وسوريين لوقف نزيف الدم المستمر منذ 6 اشهر في سوريا.

Ten injured as Jordanians protest against corruption

2012-01-12T13:41:00.000+02:00

AMMAN (BNO NEWS) — Hundreds of Jordanians on Friday demonstrated across the country to demand sovereignty and an end to government corruption, Ammon News reported.

The coalition of pro-reform movements took to the streets of downtown Amman under the banner of “Friday of Sovereignty” following midday prayers to protest government stalling in implementing political reforms. Protesters chanted slogans against rampant corruption and squandering of national resources and the lack of oversight and accountability over state officials.

Several similar demonstrations took place in the southern governorates of Tafileh and Karak. At least 10 people were injured in Karak when government loyalists attacked a group of demonstrators with sticks and knives, according to Ammon News.

The Youth and Populist Movement held local government officials accountable for the attacks. The movement’s spokesperson, Muath Btoush, said that “what took place today is a clear violation of the rights of Jordanian citizens to freedom of expression in a peaceful manner.” “We hold the authorities responsible for the attacks,” Btoush told Ammon News.

Jordanian protesters have been demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit’s government for its failure to carry out political reforms. They are also demanding the trial of corrupt officials and have stressed that they will continue protesting until they witness “real and tangible measures” to combat corruption.

Last month, Jordan’s King Abdullah II issued a decree approving a cabinet reshuffle in Bakhit’s government. This was the first reshuffle of the cabinet, which was formed in February after protesters called for the resignation of then-current prime minister Samir Rifai and his government. The previous government was blamed for price hikes, excessive taxation, unemployment, and difficult economic conditions.

Friday, August 12th, 2011

جرحى باعتصام جنوب الأردن

2012-01-12T13:40:00.000+02:00

12/8/2011

محمد النجار -عمان

أُصيب عشرة من المشاركين في اعتصام للمطالبة بالإصلاح بمدينة الكرك (120 كم جنوب عمان) بعد ظهر الجمعة خلال اشتباكهم مع مناهضين للإصلاح ضمن فعاليات اليوم التي حملت شعار "جمعة السيادة".

ووقع الاشتباك بعد أن اعتصم العشرات من الحراك الشعبي في مدينة الكرك على دوار صلاح الدين وسط المدينة ضمن الفعاليات المستمرة المطالبة بالإصلاح التي تشهدها الكرك للأسبوع الثاني عشر على التوالي.

وقال ثابت عساف، أحد قادة الحراك في الكرك، للجزيرة نت إن من وصفهم بالبلطجية هاجموا الاعتصام بالعصي والآلات الحادة مما أدى إلى إصابة عشرة من المشاركين في الاعتصام، تم نقل اثنين منهم إلى المستشفى أحدهما أدخل العناية الحثيثة.

واتهم عساف رجال الشرطة الذين كانوا موجودين في محطة أمنية بجانب الاعتصام بعدم التدخل لفض الاشتباك، وقال إن رجال الشرطة أغلقوا باب المحطة الأمنية الثابتة على أنفسهم.

وهذا هو الهجوم الأول الذي يتعرض له الحراك الشعبي الداعي إلى الإصلاح بمدينة الكرك التي تشهد فعاليات مستمرة منذ مطلع الصيف الجاري، وسبق لمن يوصفون بالبلطجية أن هاجموا مسيرة وصحفيين من بينهم فريق قناة الجزيرة الذي كان يقوم بتغطية مسيرة مطالبة بالإصلاح مطلع العام الجاري.

وشهدت الكرك ومدينة المزار -التي تحتضن قبور شهداء معركة مؤتة التاريخية- منذ مطلع رمضان الجاري أربع فعاليات مطالبة بالإصلاح والتسريع به.

وشهدت مدينة الطفيلة (179 كم جنوب عمان) مسيرة ظهر اليوم الجمعة، وهي الثالثة عشرة على التوالي، شارك فيها المئات مرددين هتافات تحذر الملك عبد الله الثاني من استمرار التباطؤ في تحقيق الإصلاح.

وكانت المدينة قد شهدت مساء الخميس إقامة إفطار جماعي تبعته ندوة سياسية حول الإصلاح حضرها المئات في حشد اعتبر الأكبر في المدينة منذ بدء حراكها قبل أشهر.

واتهم القائمون على نشاط الخميس الحكومة بقطع الكهرباء عن مكانه حيث أصروا على إكمال فعاليتهم على ضوء الشموع.

بيان تحذيري
وأصدر الحراك الشعبي في مدن الجنوب الأردني وعمان بيانا حذر من استمرار الغياب الرسمي عن تحقيق الإصلاح الشعبي.

وجاء في البيان "لقد بدأ الصبر ينفد من سذاجة التعامل مع مطالب حراك الشارع المتوسع سقفا وحجما، وبدأ الحراك يوجه صوته إلى رأس الهرم مباشرة لتسريع عجلة الإصلاح الذي يريده الشارع لا ادعاءات الإصلاح ومشاريع الالتفاف التي تريدها القوى المستفيدة من الوضع الراهن ومن زمرة الظلم والفساد".

وتابع "بدأت الأغلبية الصامتة تعرف مواطن الخلل وترى بعينها فضائح متوالية تضرب القرار السيادي الأردني وبدأ المواطن العادي يفقد الثقة بأصحاب القرار بعد كل هذا التجاهل والتخبط وكل هذه الفضائح".

وفي عمان خرجت بعد صلاة الجمعة اليوم مسيرة شارك فيها نحو 300 من أعضاء الحراك الشعبي المطالب بالإصلاح وغلبت عليها الشعارات المنتقدة لغياب الإصلاح، بشكل "كاريكاتوري".

وكانت عمان قد شهدت مساء الخميس اعتصاما بمنطقة حي نزال أطلق فيه المشاركون مناطيد صغيرة تعبيرا عن الإصرار الشعبي على تحقيق الإصلاح.

وطالب المشاركون في الاعتصام الذي نظمته تنسيقية الحراك الشبابية الأردنية بالإسراع في تحقيق الإصلاح، ومحاربة الفساد ورفع القبضة الأمنية عن الحياة العامة.

مهرجان جماهيري
وتأتي هذه التحركات في غياب للأحزاب السياسية التي دعت من خلال الجبهة الوطنية للإصلاح إلى مهرجان جماهيري مساء الجمعة يتوقع أن يشارك فيه أحمد عبيدات رئيس الجبهة وقيادات الأحزاب والنقابات لاسيما قيادات الحركة الإسلامية بالأردن.

كما تجري التحركات الشعبية قبل أيام من موعد إعلان التعديلات الدستورية المتوقعة مطلع الأسبوع القادم في حفل يحضره العاهل الأردني.

وكان الملك عبد الله الثاني قد أكد في مناسبات عديدة أنه يقود الإصلاح في البلاد متعهدا بوضع مخرجات لجنة الحوار الوطني بشأن قانوني الانتخاب والأحزاب موضع التنفيذ بعد إقرار التعديلات الدستورية التي يتوقع أن تمنح السلطة التشريعية سلطات أوسع وتعمل على الفصل بين السلطات الثلاث في البلاد.

ويشهد الأردن منذ مطلع العام الجاري مسيرات وتحركات شعبية تطالب بالإصلاح قالت السلطات الرسمية إن عددها تجاوز ألفين على وقع الثورات العربية التي يقول مراقبون إنها منحت الشارع الأردني دفعة قوية لتحقيق الإصلاح والمطالبة بمكافحة الفساد.

وصول المواطن الأردني الخالدي من سورية إلى أرض المملكة بوضع صحي حرج

2012-01-12T13:38:00.000+02:00

2011-08-12

سرايا - وصل الى المملكة المواطن الأردني المصاب في سورية طارق الخالدي، وتم نقله فورا من حدود جابر إلى مستشفى الملك عبدالله المؤسس بسبب وضعه الصحي الحرج.

وانتقد ذوو وأقارب الشاب الأردني خلو سيارة الإسعاف الأردنية، التي كان من المفترض أن تنقله من حدود جابر إلى المستشفى من التجهيزات والمعدات الطبية الخاصة لحالة ابنهم، رغم تزويدهم الجهات الرسمية والصحية بمعلومات دقيقة عن حالة ابنهم، مهددين بمحاسبة المسؤولين عن هذا الأمر.

من جهته، أكد المتحدث باسم وزارة الخارجية محمد الكايد أن مركز العمليات بالوزارة قام أول من أمس الأربعاء، بالتنسيق مع مختلف الأجهزة الأردنية لاستقبال المصاب، وليصار الى نقله مباشرة الى المستشفى فور وصوله للحدود، كما أن الوزارة أبلغت إدارة المستشفى بوضعه الصحي وبأنه مصاب بالرأس وأن حالته حرجة، وطلبت إرسال سيارة إسعاف للحدود لاستقباله.

وأشار الكايد الى أن المصاب الأردني كان غادر مدينة حمص السورية في سيارة إسعاف الساعة 7:30 من صباح أمس الخميس وكانت السفارة الأردنية في دمشق تابعت حالة الخالدي واستحصلت على التصاريح اللازمة من محافظ حمص لإخراجه من المحافظة السورية ونقله للأردن.

واعتبر أحمد الخالدي، عم المصاب، أن الحكومة أخفقت في ترتيب مهمة نقل ابن أخيه، إذ كان من المفترض تسليمه من الجانب السوري لسيارة الإسعاف الأردنية التي خول لها الدخول بمرافقة ضابط الارتباط الأردني الموجود داخل مركز حدود جابر.

من جهته، قال مدير مستشفى الملك عبدالله المؤسس الدكتور زياد الناصر إنه لم يتم الطلب من إدارته إرسال سيارة إسعاف، في الوقت الذي أكد فيه جاهزية المستشفى لاستقبال المصاب الأردني، بعد أن أبلغت وزارة الداخلية إدارة المستشفى بحالته الصحية. وأوضح أنه وبعد الساعة الواحدة من ظهر أمس كلف بإرسال سيارة إسعاف إلى مركز حدود جابر تحمل كافة التجهيزات الطبية، بالإضافة إلى طبيب تخدير متخصص.

وأعرب ذوو المصاب عن استيائهم لطول انتظارهم أمام مركز حدود جابر ما حدا بهم الى الاتصال مع نواب وشخصيات رسمية لحل الأزمة وتسريع إدخال ابنهم المصاب، ما استدعى السماح لسيارة الإسعاف السورية بالدخول إلى الأردن وإيصال المصاب إلى مستشفى الملك المؤسس بمرافقة ضابط الارتباط الأردني، إلى جانب مرافقة سيارة الإسعاف الأردنية، التي كان من المفترض أن تقل الخالدي، وتبين أنها تابعة لمركز صحي جامعة اليرموك، وبدون طاقم طبي. وفور وصول المصاب إلى مستشفى الملك المؤسس أدخل غرفة العناية الحثيثة برفقة طاقم طبي من الاختصاصيين، الذين كانوا بانتظار وصول الحالة.

وأكد الدكتور الناصر أن حالة المريض حرجة للغاية، كون الرصاصة التي أصابته جاءت في العين اليمنى لتستقر في عمق الدماغ، موضحا أن جزءا كبيرا من الدماغ "تهتك" بفعل مادة البارود الحارق. وكان الشاب الخالدي (19 عاما) أصيب قبل ثلاثة أيام برصاص الأمن السوري أثناء مرافقته لجدته وخاله، الذين كانوا يقومون بزيارة لأقاربهم في مدينة حمص لحضور حفل زفاف.

Jordanians lash out against planned nuclear reactor

2012-01-12T13:36:00.000+02:00

By DAVID E. MILLER
THE MEDIA LINE
08/14/2011

Activists encourage gov't to search for energy alternatives as Amman makes plans to build nuclear reactor in response to rising oil prices.

Jordan has opted for nuclear power as a solution to its energy woes. But politicians and local residents say they will oppose any government bid to build a nuclear reactor in the resource-poor kingdom.

Three international companies are bidding for a government contract to construct a 1,000-megawatt Generation III reactor by the end of the decade near the city of Mafraq, 40 kilometers (25 miles) northeast of the capital Amman. Jordan's Energy Ministry announced that the winner will be named in November.

Jordan currently imports over 95% of its energy, costing it one-fifth of the gross domestic product in 2010. Political upheavals in the Middle East have dramatically raised oil prices this year. It relies on Egyptian natural gas for 80% of its energy needs, but repeated attacks on a gas pipeline in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula have boosted prices and disrupted supplies.

So the government has decided to push forward with nuclear energy, claiming it is the only reliable, long-term solution for Jordan's energy concerns. But residents of Mafraq say the planned reactor will pollute their environment and endanger their health. Political forces in the kingdom have also rallied against nuclear power plants.

"We believe it is better to search for alternative sources of energy than to focus on nuclear power," Dr. Said Diab, Secretary General of the Jordanian Democratic Popular Union Party, an opposition group, told The Media Line. "The dangers of the nuclear reactor outweigh its advantages, so our party has decided to join the public campaign against it."

Diab said that many developed countries have decided to abandon nuclear energy due to the potential environmental danger it poses. Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan said Japan would "scale back" its dependence on nuclear energy in the coming years following the meltdown of the Fukushima power plant in March after it was hit by a massive tsunami. In the wake of the Japanese disaster, Germany announced it would close down all of its nuclear power plants by 2022 following widespread anti-nuclear demonstrations across the country.

The Mafraq residents have set up a coalition called Irhamouna, Arabic for "have mercy on us." It unites environmentalists, geologists and youth activists. Coalition coordinator Nidal Hassan told The Jordan Times that his group would launch a series of information sessions and demonstrations against the reactor in Mafraq and Amman following the month of Ramadan on Facebook,

“Our children are already sick from fumes. Do we need radiation too?” Mohammed Khawaldeh, a resident of the area, told the daily.

Zeena Hakim, a 21-year-old student from Amman is volunteering in Greenpeace's first public campaign in Jordan against the nuclear reactor. Greenpeace will join Irhamouna activists in Mafraq next Tuesday to protest against the reactor.

"We oppose all nuclear programs," Hakim told The Media Line. "It causes danger to the environment, the water, and there is so much waste involved."

"The solution is energy conservation and efficiency," Hakim said. "Jordan has above average levels of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power."

Syrian protesters demand expulsion of ambassador

2012-01-09T11:28:00.000+02:00

By Raed Omari

AMMAN - Dozens of Syrians gathered outside their embassy in Amman on Thursday, chanting slogans against the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad and calling for the expulsion of the Syrian ambassador in the Kingdom.

Meanwhile, another, smaller group of Syrians held a counter-protest, raising banners saying: "NATO will not intervene in Syria," and chanting slogans condemning the "US interference and the Zionist conspiracy" against their country.

During the protest, the embassy broadcast Syrian national ballads at loud volume - a move interpreted by protesters as "part of the regime's attempts to silence calls for freedom".

An anti-regime protester, who preferred to be referred to as "Al Homsi", told The Jordan Times that the Syrian ambassador in Amman provoked Syrians residing in Jordan and committed a "sin" when he ordered the broadcast while a group of Syrians was performing Eid Al Adha prayers in front of the embassy on the first day of Eid Al Adha on Sunday.

"That move was nothing short of an act of tyranny and subjugation… a desperate attempt to silence mouths calling for freedom," he said.

Marching arm-in-arm, the anti-regime protesters chanted slogans denouncing the regime and condemning the "massacres" committed by Syrian security forces in the cities of Daraa, Homs, Baniyas and Latakia.

"We wanted to show a sign of solidarity with our brothers back home who are facing difficult times and to emphasize our irreversible demand for freedom," said another protester, who identified herself as "Um Abdullah".

Among the slogans chanted by anti-regime protesters were: "The Syrians want a transitional council," "People want the downfall of the Baath regime" and "Syrians want to expel the ambassador."

Meanwhile, the pro-regime protesters carried pictures of Assad and the Syrian flag, chanting slogans rejecting what they described as a "conspiracy of the imperial powers" to destabilize Syria and end its resistance of US and Israeli "colonial plans".

A minor scuffle broke out between the two groups of protesters and security personnel intervened and separated them.

11 November 2011

Jordan's $1.5 Billion Star Trek Theme Park to be Powered by Alternative Energy

2012-01-05T15:41:00.000+02:00

by Timon Singh, 08/13/11

There are a lot of famous Star Trek fans out there — Olivia Wilde, Mila Kunis and yours truly — but none of us are as rich as King Abdullah of Jordan. The Middle Eastern monarch, who was once an extra in an episode of Star Trek: Voyager, has given the green light to a $1.5 billion Star Trek-inspired theme park that will boldly take Jordan where no Gulf state has gone before. While the theme park will not be powered by dilithium crystals, it will utilize green technology in order to lower its carbon footprint.

All electricity at Jordan’s Star Trek theme park will be provided by renewable energy, while a center will be constructed to educate visitors about the importance and benefits of renewable energy sources and eco-friendly practices like graywater harvesting.

The Star Trek theme park (which I’m hoping will be called The Starfleet Green Academy) will be situated in the Jordanian coastal city of Aqaba and will be spread over a 74 hectare area. It will consist of 17 entertainment zones and a four-star hotel among many other things.

Paramount Reaction and the Rubicon Group are partnering with architectural firm Callison to create the futuristic theme park. According to initial reports, the park will “wow visitors with a 23rd century multi-sensory experience that will incorporate highly advanced visual and sound effects to give the people coming in the park a real-time feel of things. The technology which will go into building the Red Sea Astrarium Park will be unlike any other and they will be truly state of the art.”

We are guessing holodecks, transporters and shuttlecrafts will not become available.

Jordan police fire tear gas on protesters

2011-12-29T15:07:00.002+02:00

Fri Dec 23, 2011

Jordanian anti- and pro-government protesters have clashed in the northern city of Mafraq, forcing police to use tear gas to end the violence.

Witnesses say dozens from both sides, including police, were injured after thousands of members of the Bani Hassan tribe clashed with around 300 anti-government demonstrators demanding reforms in Mafraq on Friday.

Several shops were also destroyed during the clashes, AFP reported.

The demonstrators have reportedly sought refuge in a mosque and according to witnesses the situation is still tense in the city.

Bani Hassan, one of Jordan's largest tribes, which supports the government, on Thursday warned against holding anti-government demonstration in Mafraq.

Similar anti-government rallies were held in the capital, Amman, and several other cities following the Friday Prayers.

Jordanians have been holding street protests demanding political reform, including the election of the prime minister by popular vote, and an end to corruption since January. There have been no calls for the king to be removed.

Since the beginning of protest rallies, Jordanian ruler, King Abdullah II, has sacked two prime ministers in a bid to avoid more protests. Awn al-Khasawneh, a judge at International Court of Justice, is Jordan's third premier this year.

The king has also amended 42 articles in the 60-year-old constitution, giving parliament a stronger role in decision-making.

Clashes smear University of Jordan Student Union Elections

2011-12-29T11:01:00.001+02:00

2011-12-22

By Alaa Elayyan

AMMONNEWS - Clashes erupted throughout the day on Thursday at the University of Jordan (UJ) as students cast their ballots in the Student Union elections.

Security forces intensified their presence around the campus as several brawls erupted in various faculties, including the humanities, medicine, sciences, and engineering departments.

Two students were injured in the clashes and were transferred to the University of Jordan hospital for treatment.

University security guards worked to contain the various fights that erupted, as Public Security Directorate (PSD) personnel remained outside the campus near the main gates.

Meanwhile, Dean of the Humanities Department Dr. Abdullah Anbar announced on Thursday morning postponing the English Department elections until next week after clashes erupted there when students supporting one candidate prevented other students from casting their ballots.

Angry students stormed into the university's President's building after the department's elections were postponed, leading UJ's vice-president to meet with them to contain the incident.

UJ President Adel Tweisi told Ammon News on Thursday that head of the elections' committee in the humanities department worked to contain the incident after young men covering their faces with scarfs and masks prevented female students from voting.

Students also vandalized university property in the Business Department and blocked the entrances to the engineering department.

Syrian Sanctions Pose New Threat to Jordan's Economy

2011-12-28T10:56:00.000+02:00

Abdullah Omar
Tuesday, December 20, 2011

DEIR-ALLA, Jordan - In the lush orchards of Abu Emad in this Jordan Valley town, lemons and oranges glisten in the sun as the day of picking draws near. The valley’s year-round mild climate, fertile soils and relatively ample water supply have made it a winter garden of cucumbers, tomatoes and other produce destined for Europe, where they are unavailable from local growers during the winter.

But this season may be different as Arab League sanctions against Syria go into effect. That is because Jordan Valley farmers like Abu Emad send their best produce through Syria to Europe, where prices are better than anything they could expect at home. The farmers, already coping with debts and water shortages, have few alternatives to Syria.

“If I’m not allowed to export products through Syria, it will be a catastrophe for me and all the communities in the region,” said the scrawny 56 year old farmer. Unemployment in Jordan is already high and poverty is on the rise. This farm employs dozens of workers from impoverished Deir Alla and neighboring towns. “If a war starts, many people will be hurt, not only in Syria, but also in Jordan.”

Unlike Syria’s two other Arab League neighbors, Iraq and Lebanon, Jordan supported the sanctions and King Abdullah has hinted that Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad should step down after more than 5,000 people have died in a crackdown against the government. But the economy of Jordan, an important ally of the U.S., can ill-afford another blow.

Repeated attacks on the pipeline from Egypt have stanched the flow of natural gas that was once Jordan’s primary source of energy. While Abdullah faces no threat to his rule, the country has been shaken by protests calling for reform and an end to corruption. Jordan is already saddled by a record $2 billion budget deficit this fiscal year and high unemployment.

Syria and its Mediterranean ports serve as a lifeline for the kingdom, an almost entirely landlocked country. Close to 30% of Jordan’s exports of fruits and vegetables, about $126 million in 2010, went through Syria to Europe as well as the closer markets of Lebanon and Turkey. The ministry has said that about 3,000 Jordanian trucks will have to stop working because of the sanctions.

Syria finally agreed on Monday to let Arab League observers into the country to monitor a deal it agreed to last month to pull troops from rebellious cities, free political prisoners and start talks with the opposition. Nevertheless, the head of the League said there is no immediate plan to lift sanctions that were imposed when Damascus at first refused outside monitors.

Meantime, Jordanian traders are complaining they are being targeted by the Syrian regime, with trucks facing delays at the border and attacks by loyalists as the vehicles head north to Turkey.

The sanctions include a travel ban against scores of senior Syrian officials, a freeze on government assets in Arab countries, a ban on transactions with Syria's central bank as well as an end to all commercial exchanges with the Syrian government. The sanctions include a ban on dealing with the central bank of Syria as well as major companies that export to the region.

If they can’t find new markets for their fruits and vegetables, the Jordan Valley’s farmers risk seeing everything fall off their branches and rot. The oil-rich Gulf states represent an option, but fierce competition from other countries such as India and strict rules on imports will make it hard to find customers countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Saudi or Qatar, he says.

Experts say other trade partners will have to be considered, including next-door Israel. But with the government already suffering I public opinion over the economy and political reform, expanding trade with the Jewish state would be a risky move. The two countries have a peace treaty but Jordanian popular opinion is hostile to Israel.

Sanctions will not only hit Jordanian farmers, but factories that use Syria as a route to import basic manufacturing products such as textiles and spare parts.

It will also hurt Jordanian families, which get the majority of their fruits and vegetables from Syria as well as wheat, cotton and other basic needs at an affordable price. Jordan imported some $187 million of Syria produce last year, according to Jordan's Agriculture Ministry. Additionally, as pressure on Damascus intensifies and more refugees start to make their way to the kingdom, officials in Amman are concerned that will compound the economy’s woes by adding more mouths to feed.

All told, two-way trade between Syria and Jordan amounts to $400 million, a significant figure for a country of seven million people and an economy worth about $27 billion. Traders say imports from Lebanon would also become all too expensive if they are to be shipped through the Mediterranean and into the Red Sea Gulf of Aqaba

Jordan officials have sounded the alarm about the damage sanctions will impose if the kingdom’s special problems are taken into consideration. Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh has urged the other Arab countries to consider exempting the kingdom from the trade ban on Syria.

Jordan is believed to have received tens of millions of dollars from the Saudi and Qatari governments to help it accommodate an expected surge in the number of refugees. Experts say the kingdom could be given more cash from wealthier Arab League members to offset losses from cutting ties with Syria.

But Khalid Abdel Rahman, a farmer from the Jordan Valley town of Karama, expressed doubt about the aid money being spent effectively or going to deserving pockets.

“There is no transparency in these issues. If we receive aid, the government would give small amounts to certain people and leave others face the hardship by themselves,” he said.

Meanwhile, Amman has started seeking alternative routes for its exports. Talks have already held with Iraqi authorities to send trucks laden with exotic fruits and vegetables through northern Iraq and into Turkey, before reaching the European market. But the route is almost double the Syrian route and it through politically unstable areas, which will raise costs.

MP says he received death threat for his anti-Assad comment

2011-12-22T17:08:00.002+02:00

2011-12-13

AMMONNEWS - A Jordanian lawmaker says he has received death threats for calling on Syria’s President Bashar Assad to step down.

Ali al-Khalayleh says an anonymous caller with a Syrian accent telephoned him Saturday, threatening to “behead” the lawmaker for remarks made about Assad in Jordan’s parliament two weeks ago. He says the call came from a Syrian number to his cell phone.

The parliamentarian had called the Syrian regime “corrupt and bloody” in his speech.

He told The Associated Press on Tuesday that he notified security authorities about the threat. Police say they are investigating.

Al-Khalayleh is a member of a local committee to support the Syrian people.

Jordan's corruption hunt fails to satisfy 'skeptical' Islamists

2011-12-19T14:37:00.000+02:00

2011-12-17

By Randa Habib – AMMAN

Jordan's King Abdullah II is spearheading an anti-corruption drive against figures once seen as "untouchable," but is failing to satisfy the powerful Islamist opposition's demands for sweeping reform.

The arrest on Tuesday of former Amman mayor Omar Maani on fraud charges, and a court's refusal to grant bail to a man once close to the monarch and Queen Rania are seen as evidence that the anti-graft campaign is serious.

The detention of Maani, who was mayor from 2006 until earlier this year, came after the king met with senior officials, MPs and members of the country's Anti-Corruption Commission to demand swift action.

"Citizens can no longer tolerate corruption. They want the corrupt who steal public funds punished. No one is above the law," the king told the meeting.

Pro-reform demonstrations, which the country has been witnessing since January, have not spared the king himself.

The palace recently issued a statement saying 4,827 dunums (each equivalent to 1,000 square meters) of state land were "registered to the king's name between 2000 and 2003," adding that "none of them has been sold."

Parliament then formed a committee to inquire into "records of public land registered to the names of influential people."

"The king's involvement demonstrates political will and Jordanians will be stunned by the way corruption will be tackled," Senate President Taher Masri said.

"The popular protests have been calling for months for corruption to be rooted out, and at one point, people felt the state was not serious about that. But things will change dramatically."

Prosecutors have summoned several former senior officials, including three prime ministers and a royal court chief, to testify in a corruption case, according to the government-owned Arabic daily Al-Rai.

Also, a travel ban has been imposed on dozens of prominent businessmen, said Anti-Corruption Commission chief Samih Bino.

The businessmen are reportedly suspected of involvement in the embezzlement of hundreds of millions of dollars of public funds.

But the measures taken have so far failed to satisfy the opposition Islamic Action Front (IAF), the political arm of Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood.

"Preliminary steps are being taken to tackle corruption, but they are not enough at all," Zaki Bani Rsheid, head of the IAF's political bureau, said.

"Fighting corruption requires genuine and serious political will, which is not available now," he added, warning against "attempts to thwart people's demands for real reform."

Bani Rsheid said: "Corruption files that have led to Jordan's political and economic crises have not been investigated yet.

"Corruption in Jordan is deeply rooted and enjoys the protection of parts of the regime," he added.

Jordan's external debt amounts to $18 billion, more than 65% of gross domestic product. It was $7 billion in 1999, when King Abdullah took the throne.

"These are bubbles here and there. There is no real strategy," said Mohammad Masri, a researcher at the University of Jordan's Center for Strategic Studies.

"A clear anti-corruption law should have preceded this campaign to help to restore people's trust in court decisions and refute claims that these measures are part of a witch-hunt."

Jordan's Islamists call for 'salvation gov't'

2011-12-17T16:45:00.000+02:00

By Taylor Luck

THE JORDANIAN ISLAMIST movement has called for the formation of an emergency government to carry out “urgent reforms”, as the Muslim Brotherhood reiterated its demands for wider constitutional amendments.

Following a meeting of its executive branch late Wednesday, the Islamic Action Front (IMF), the Muslim Brotherhood’s political branch, called for a “national salvation government” to overcome political, economic and social “crises” currently facing the Kingdom.

Islamists urged Prime Minister Awn Khasawneh to head a government representing the interests of various political and social forces in the Kingdom to reduce the role of security services in public life, push through constitutional reform and draft a new elections law.

According to IAF politburo chief Zaki Bani Rsheid, the salvation government should be entrusted with “paving the way” for elections and wider political reforms which the movement claims have been “stalled” for nearly 11 months.

Islamist leaders claim that a recent spike in social violence and ongoing weekly protests are “warning signs” that the Kingdom cannot afford further delays in implementing political and economic reforms.

“If the government does not take immediate measures to alleviate the situation, we believe Jordan is entering a dangerous phase,” warned Hamzah Mansour, IAF secretary general.

“This is why we push for a national salvation government to restore the public’s trust in the political process.”

The demand marks the closest the movement has come to criticizing the government of Awn Khasawneh, who reached out to the Muslim Brotherhood during the formation of his Cabinet in late October.

The statement comes amidst ongoing negotiations between Islamists and decision makers over its participation in the political process - widely viewed by officials and observers alike as key to the legitimacy of any upcoming elections.

Islamists have pinned their participation to a series of demands, including wider constitutional reforms guaranteeing an elected government, protecting the Lower House against dissolution, an elections law relying on proportional representation and the dissolution of the State Security Court.

According to the movement, the demand for a salvation government does not represent a break from its reform demands or criticism of the Khasawneh government, but rather a policy demand stemming from a growing “concern” for the domestic situation in Jordan.

“We are noticing that from the economy to the social sphere, the situation in Jordan is getting tenser day after day,” Bani Rsheid told The Jordan Times.

“We don’t want slogans or rhetoric, we want immediate action.”

In its statement, the movement also staked its position on the latest domestic and international issues, weighing in on issues ranging from the protection of Islamic sites in Jerusalem to the demands of disgruntled municipal employees in Jneid.

The movement expressed concerns over the minister of finance’s previously announced intentions to raise water, electricity and fuel tariffs, warning against measures that will affect average citizens which it claims are already facing the negative impact of a struggling economy.

“We need officials to find ways to raise funds other than raising the prices of basic goods that affect all citizens,” Mansour said.

The Islamist movement also welcomed the statements of His Majesty King Abdullah and Khasawneh earlier this month stressing that “no one is above the law”, urging for the Anti-Corruption Commission to refer all corruption cases to court in “transparency and justice”.

In its statement, the IAF condemned the attack on the home of MP Hamad Hajaya and the manner in which security services treated protesters who closed the Desert Highway in the Qatraneh area to demand the reclamation of wajihat - state-owned lands allocated for various tribes during the Ottoman era for grazing and habitation purposes.

The Islamist movement also called on the government to take action against Syrian embassy cadre in Amman who they claimed “broke the law and diplomatic norms” earlier this week by using physical force against Syrian nationals whom Damascus claimed stormed its embassy.

16 December 2011

Jordan, Georgia to boost cooperation in crisis management

2011-12-17T16:42:00.002+02:00

By Hani Hazaimeh

AMMAN - Minister of Interior Mohammad Al Raoud and his Georgian counterpart Ivane Merabishvili on Thursday signed an agreement that paves the way for boosting joint cooperation in civil defense crisis management.

Al Raoud said Amman and Tblisi are parties to several agreements that have contributed to enhancing bilateral ties and boosting cooperation, adding that the newly signed agreement will add a new brick to the wall of Jordan’s and Georgia’s “strong and distinguished relations”.

“Our two countries signed a trade and economic cooperation agreement in 2010 and earlier this year the two sides signed a joint cooperation agreement in the health, tourism, trade, science and technology, culture, investment, education and youth sectors,” he added.

“The Civil Defense Department (CDD) in the Kingdom has advanced experience in crisis and disaster management. The government recently established the Regional Civil Protection Center in cooperation with the International Civil Defense Organization (ICDO),” the minister said, noting that the center is tasked with providing a databank of civil protection related news and exchanging technical data and experience among ICDO members.

Merabishvili said Georgia has been subject to frequent natural and manmade disasters and aspires to benefit from the Kingdom’s experience in crisis management and civil protection services.

“Jordan’s has acquired an advanced reputation in this field for its regional and international efforts in assisting countries subject to different kinds of disasters. We hope that the agreement will facilitate more cooperation and stronger ties between our two countries,” he added.

Merabishvili said his ministry will work with the Georgian ministry of foreign affairs to seek an agreement with its Jordanian counterpart to cancel visa requirements for citizens of both countries, in order to increase the flow of tourists between Jordan and Georgia and give their citizens the opportunity to learn more about each other’s cultures.

16 December 2011

Jordan set to end reliance on Egyptian gas

2011-12-17T16:41:00.000+02:00

By Taylor Luck

JORDAN IS SET to move away from Egyptian gas due to the growing unreliability of the country’s main energy source, officials say.

In a statement earlier this week, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Qutaiba Abu Qura announced that the ministry is intensifying efforts to secure alternatives to Egyptian gas, on which Jordan relies for 80 per cent of its electricity generation needs, adding that the resource will not factor in the Kingdom’s future energy plans.

The minister’s statement, issued during a meeting of the Lower House Finance Committee, came amidst reports in the Egyptian press that Amman has gone back on its decision to ratify a new natural gas agreement, which was approved by the Cabinet in August and has been pending Cairo’s approval.

Officials denied that Jordan has formally withdrawn its support for the amended agreement, under which Egypt is expected to triple gas prices.

“We have had no developments, either towards ending or signing the new agreement,” Farouq Hiyari, the energy ministry’s secretary general, told The Jordan Times.

Despite the denials, according to a ministry source, frustration over the unreliability of gas supplies and a lack of communication from the Egyptian side has led Jordanian officials to “give up” on an arrangement that at its peak supplied the Kingdom with some 300 million cubic feet per day.

The Egyptian ministry of petrol declined to comment.

Cairo has yet to resume pumping since a Sinai explosion cut supplies on November 28, marking the ninth attack on supply line since the beginning of the year and the third in less than a month.

The most recent attacks came amidst assurances by Egyptian authorities that an increased military presence in the Sinai Peninsula combined with the arrest of several jihadists allegedly behind the spate of attacks would lead to the security of the pipeline.

According to sources at E-Gas, one of the two firms that oversee the 400-kilometre Arab Gas Pipeline - which also supplies Israel - repairs have faced “unexpected” delays leading to the prolonged disruption, which has forced the Kingdom’s power plants onto their fuel reserves at a cost of some JD3 million per day.

Economists say the series of attacks have had a direct impact on Jordan, with the series of disruptions pushing the national energy bill to record levels - over JD4 billion - and expected to widen the National Electric Power Company’s budget deficit to JD1.4 billion by the end of the year.

“For months NEPCO has covered the difference in price between natural gas and heavy oil, but this burden has become unsustainable,” NEPCO General Manager Ghaleb Maabreh recently told The Jordan Times.

According to officials, a ministerial team is to travel to Cairo “soon” to review the issue of gas supplies with their Egyptian counterparts before Jordan formally moves to end its decade-long reliance on Egyptian gas.

Meanwhile, Hiyari said talks are intensifying with Iraq and several Arab Gulf states over the potential of importing natural and liquid gas over the next decade as Jordan attempts to develop domestic energy sources including oil shale and nuclear power.

Despite the renewed efforts to secure additional energy sources, officials say it will take up to two years from the signing of any agreement before Jordan can benefit from a new energy market due to infrastructure requirements.

Should Jordan decide to end its decade-long reliance on Egyptian gas supplies, Hiyari said the government will resort to the international energy market to maintain electricity generation in parallel with its drive to secure additional energy sources.

“We will have no problem meeting the needs of electricity plants needs with oil and diesel during this period,” Hiyari said.

Energy officials privately conceded that the move will impact electricity tariffs as heavy fuel oil and diesel are much costlier than Egyptian gas imports, which Jordan previously received at prices of less than half the international market rate.

Sources claim the government has previously hesitated to formally end the country’s gas deal with Egypt for fear of raising electricity tariffs at a time of popular unrest over a struggling economy and a stalled political reform drive.

“Officials have finally come to the decision they can no longer wait around for the Egyptian situation to improve,” said an energy official who was not authorized to speak to the press.

“They have come to the terms that Jordan can no longer rely on subsidized energy.”

While an added economic burden for citizens, industry observers say the move away from Egyptian gas will serve as a boost to Jordanian oil shale, which experts say is cost competitive with unsubsidized natural gas, and renewable energy, which advocates claim has long been neglected in favor of subsidized fossil fuels.

Despite the recent boost in investments in the alternative energy sector, Jordan will not see the production of electricity from oil shale before 2016, while the first large-scale renewable energy project, a 90-megawatt wind farm south of Shobak, is not expected to come online before 2014.

Observers say uncertainty over Egyptian gas has elevated energy from a policy concern to an issue of national security for Jordan, which currently imports 98 per cent of its energy needs at a cost of 23 per cent of the gross domestic product.

16 December 2011

مصنع قواذف قنابل أردني في روسيا العام المقبل

2011-12-16T15:02:00.003+02:00

15/12/2011

خبرني - قال مدير عام شركة "بازالت" الروسية الكسندر ريباس إنه من المخطط افتتاح مصنع قواذف القنابل "هاشم ار بي جي - 32" الأردني في أيار القادم.

ونقلت فضائية "روسيا اليوم" عن ريباس قوله الخميس إن مصنعاً لإنتاج قواذف القنابل سيفتتح في أيار المقبل، بقدرة إنتاجية نبلغ 60 ألف قاذف كل سنة.

يذكر ان شركة "روس اوبورون أكسبورت" وقعت في نيسان الماضي مع الجانب الاردني اتفاقية تقديم المساعدة التقنية في تجميع قواذف القنابل "هاشم" في الاردن.

Thousands of Jordanian Forces Enter Bahrain to Help Manama Suppress Protests

2011-12-09T07:49:00.000+02:00

2011-07-31

TEHRAN (FNA)- Over 2,000 Jordanian security forces have entered Bahrain to assist the Al-Khalifa forces in suppressing peaceful protests in the tiny Persian Gulf island, witness reports said on Sunday.

"At present more than 2,000 forces dispatched by the Jordanian government have entered Bahrain's territories and are now active in the form of police and security forces," a witness told FNA on the condition of animosity.

The witness also pointed to the presence of the Pakistani forces in Bahrain, and called it a threat to the independence of the tiny Persian Gulf country.

Anti-government protesters have been holding peaceful demonstrations across Bahrain since mid-February, calling for an end to the Al Khalifa dynasty's over-40-year rule.

Violence against the defenseless people escalated after a Saudi-led conglomerate of police, security and military forces from the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC) member states - Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar - were dispatched to the tiny Persian Gulf kingdom on March 13 to help Manama crack down on peaceful protestors.

So far, tens of people have been killed, hundreds have gone missing and more than 1,000 others have been injured.

Yet, protests and rallies continued throughout the country in defiance of the martial law put in place by Manama since February.

Bahrainis have repeatedly condemned Riyadh's major role in the suppression of their revolution, and underlined that they would continue protests until the Al Khalifa regime collapses.

Will The King of Jordan Replace The Jordanian Dinar?

2011-12-06T16:15:00.000+02:00

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Today I will focus on Jordan, The Global Oligarchy and Jordan's relationship with The Global Oligarchy. Do I really think that the king of Jordan currently has plans for replacing the Jordanian Dinar? I don't think so. What I do know is that the king of Jordan is a pawn of The Global Oligarchy and that The Global Oligarchy has plans to have a global currency as part of having a global government,thereby enslaving all of humanity.
The king of Jordan is obviously a pawn of the Global Oligarchy as well as a liar. If you had asked me what I thought of The King of Jordan a year ago my answer would of been very different. My perception of the king of Jordan, until The "Arab Spring", was very gentle and kind. I thought of him as my brother in Allah who was very naive about the world around him and very ignorant of The Islamic Faith. I thought he was a misguided Muslim brother who had the heart of a God fearing man. Now I see him as one who is promoting the interests of The Global Oligarchy in Jordan. Some Jordanians think that they are an independent country. But such thinking is a product of brain washing. Jordan is very much a colony, it is a colony of the global oligarchy.
When Jordan was established it was a constitutional monarchy. Yet, over the years the constitution has been changed from a constitutional monarchy to an absolute monarchy which has some of the trappings of a democracy. It is a monarchy that is under foreign control. For ten years the king of Jordan has been king. He has given much lip service to transparency, human rights, democracy and accountability. For more than ten years the king of Jordan has spoken up against corruption, yet after all this time the people have gone to the streets demanding the end to corruption. Why, after more than ten years is there still corruption? Is the king of Jordan evil and corrupt himself, or is he totally incompetent? For more than ten years he has promised political reform, yet there has been very little political reform. Why? Some individuals within his inner circle say that those of the Jordanian tribes dislike reform. This is a lie! A group of individuals that represent most of the native Jordanians (those who are members of Jordanian tribes) are in support of everything that the opposition wants. This group wants: constitutional changes that would bring it back to a constitutional monarchy; fair and just elections that would include all Jordanians, and reforms that would bring accountability and the end of corruption in government. So, as you can see both the political opposition as well as the tribes of Jordan are in agreement. Any talk that they are not in agreement is an out right lie! Why doesn't the king of Jordan agree to the demands of the opposition? Because, the global oligarchy doesn't want to lose control of the government of Jordan... that is why. Because the king of Jordan is a pawn of the oligarchy and he is doing what they want... not what is best for Jordan and the people of Jordan.
There is talk that Jordan is different from other Arab countries because its leader is a wise man. This is wrong! The turmoil that came to other Arab countries has not YET come to Jordan because the perception of the Jordanian people is that their leader is responsive to them. But the more the king of Jordan delays real reforms, the more the people of Jordan will come to realize that their perception of their leader is wrong and that he is not responsive- and will not be responsive. The more they realize this the more they will start demanding a change in regime. Even now, in the Friday protests the people are chanting "Long live Jordan"- instead of "Long live the king". This and other things that the people are chanting in the Friday protests indicate that they are starting to get fed up with delays, and that there will come a time when they will not accept any more delays. There will come a time when they will start demanding a regime change. (Allah knows best)

Jordanian protesters demand constitutional reform

2011-12-04T16:45:00.002+02:00

AMMAN (BNO NEWS) — Thousands of people on Friday took to the streets across Jordan to demand constitutional reform and vowed to continue demonstrating until they witness genuine measures to combat corruption.

Ammon News reported that nearly 4,000 pro-reform demonstrators participated in the rally dubbed “Oath Friday” in downtown Amman following midday prayers. The protesters took an oath in which the movement pledged “to remain the voice of the oppressed and those who are deprived of their freedom.”

Protesters condemned the endemic and rampant corruption in the country, while many chanted slogans such as “The people want to reform the state” and “The people want justice and freedom.” They also demanded public freedoms and rejected any attempt to restrict the media and mislead people through government propaganda.

A number of Islamist leaders and representatives of youth and political opposition movements called for reform in their speeches during the rally and denounced the recent attacks on journalists.

At least 10 journalists were injured on July 15 when policemen tried to disperse protesters in a demonstration organized by a coalition of youth activists. Several cameras were also destroyed or confiscated as journalists covered the pro-reform demonstration in downtown Amman.

Jordanian protesters have been demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit’s government for its failure to carry out political reforms. They are also demanding the trial of corrupt officials and have stressed that they will continue protesting until they witness “real and tangible measures” to combat corruption.

Earlier this month, Jordan’s King Abdullah II issued a decree approving a cabinet reshuffle in Bakhit’s government. This was the first reshuffle of the cabinet, which was formed in February after protesters called for the resignation of then-current prime minister Samir Rifai and his government. The previous government was blamed for price hikes, excessive taxation, unemployment, and difficult economic conditions.

Friday, July 29th, 2011

Jordan jails mentor of al-Qaeda in Iraq leader Zarqawi

2011-12-04T16:43:00.000+02:00

28 July 2011

The former mentor of Iraq's slain al-Qaeda leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has been sentenced to five years in prison in Jordan.

Abu Mohammed al-Maqdessi was convicted of recruiting people in Jordan to join the Taliban in Afghanistan.

He faced a military court with three fellow Palestinian-born Jordanians.

As the ruling was handed down, he shouted at the judges: "Even if you sentence us to death, we will continue to be fighters until the day we die."

Maqdessi - whose full name is Isam Mohammed Taher al-Barqawi - was often praised by al-Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who was killed in a US air strike north-east of Baghdad in 2006.

In 1995, the two men were jailed in Jordan for five years for membership of an outlawed Islamist organization, but freed as part of a general amnesty in 1999.

They later fell out over "ideological differences", said aides quoted by the AFP news agency.

Three other men were tried alongside Maqdessi. The military court sentenced two of them to two-and-a-half years each, while a third was sentenced in absentia to five years in prison.

Jordanian protesters burn U.S. flag

2011-11-26T12:19:00.000+02:00

AMMAN, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of Jordanians held a demonstration Friday, where they burnt a U.S. flag and stressed rejection of America's interference in the region.

During the sit-in in downtown Amman, the demonstrators voiced rejection of any U.S. interference in reform efforts in the country.

Stressing on the importance of unity among Jordanians of all origins, they called for uprooting corruption in the Arab kingdom and ending the "security iron fist."

The demonstrators also condemned police assault against several media personnel during a demonstration last Friday.

The police department in Jordan on Wednesday announced its responsibility for the "limited" attacks against media people during last week's demonstration and said the involved police members will be referred to law.

On Thursday, King Abdullah II of Jordan rejected the beating of journalists by policemen as "unjustified and unacceptable."

The Jordanian king also voiced rejection of any practices and restrictions obstructing the work of media, which has an important role in accurately and independently delivering information to citizens and addressing their issues, the state-run Petra news agency reported.

Jordan king urges media protection after assault

2011-11-22T17:08:00.000+02:00

Friday 22/07/2011

AMMAN (AFP) -- Jordan's King Abdullah II called on Thursday for protecting journalists after several reporters were beaten up as they covered a demonstration in Amman last week.

"The king rejects what the journalists were subjected to last Friday, stressing that it was unjustified," the state-run Petra news agency reported after the monarch met with Jordan Press Association President Tareq Momani.

"He also rejects any practices and restrictions that would obstruct the work of media, which have an important role in accurately and independently delivering information to citizens and addressing their issues."

At least 17 people, including journalists and policemen, were injured when police tried to stop clashes between pro-reform demonstrators and government supporters in central Amman.

Police used batons and other instruments, including a barbecue grill and a ladder, to break up the clashes outside city hall, beating and injuring at least nine journalists wearing orange vests marked "Press."

"The king said he will instruct the government and security services to ensure the protection of journalists as they cover political, social and other activities," Petra said.

"We want active and effective media to help carry our reform vision," he was quoted as saying.

A police report released on Wednesday blamed the demonstrators and the media for Friday's violence, but said "more time is needed for further investigation and determining those who beat the demonstrators and journalists."

"Suspects must be put on trial in line with penal and public security laws," it added.

The Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders have condemned the attacks on journalists and called for protecting the media.

Jordan Feature: "Some Kind of Silence Has Broken"

2011-11-22T17:07:00.000+02:00

Thursday, July 21, 2011
Scott Lucas in EA Middle East and Turkey, Middle East and Iran

Since January, when Jordan’s protest movement started holding regular demonstrations, the marches have grown, and persisted, but have never reached a critical mass. Hobbled by infighting and outflanked by King Abdullah II and his security forces, the protesters keep calling for greater freedoms and an end to corruption, but remain frustrated that their regular gatherings — sometimes only two-hour affairs — have hastened no real change.

Their quandary was illustrated in the demonstrations this past weekend here in Amman. On Friday, riot police officers beat demonstrators trying to stage a sit-in during clashes that spilled into a busy market district.

On Saturday, a smaller group of protesters shut down traffic in another part of the city. The police did not interfere, and the gathering dispersed after a few hours. Afterward, opposition leaders were unsure what, if anything, had been accomplished.

The protesters’ demands seem modest compared with their counterparts in Egypt and Tunisia: a reform of the system, not its downfall. And yet, as those countries have evolved to the next stages of their revolutions, Jordanians still seem stuck deciding when, and how hard, to push.

The anger fueling the protests has not dissipated, and if anything, it has grown into broader doubts about the king’s intentions. Those doubts are carefully expressed, since direct criticisms of the king, a close American ally, are banned.

“He does not want to be reformed,” said Labib Kamhawi, a political analyst. “He wants people to accept his definition of reform. During the past six years, corruption was so rampant.” As a result, Jordan almost went bankrupt, he said. The king, he added, “is not accepting that this issue needs to be addressed.”

Zaid el-Fayez, a businessman who attended the demonstration on Friday and who belongs to a tribe considered fiercely loyal to ruling Hashemite family, said: “He can’t see us. He can’t hear us. He’s acting like nothing is happening. Most of the Jordanian people are angry.”

Government officials argue that the king has already responded, promising to amend the Constitution and election and party laws, and move to a system where political parties and not the king appoint the prime minister. They say there is no easy fix to the country’s dire economic problems, and that corruption accusations are convenient scapegoating.

The prime minister, Marouf al-Bakhit, acknowledged the frustrations of the protesters, but said some of the demands, especially regarding corruption, reflected impatience. “They want me to hang someone, and later, look at his case,” he said.

The genesis of the protests in Jordan included a worker’s strike in the port city of Aqaba in 2009 and dissent from retired army officers last year. They started in earnest six months ago, when Mohamed al-Snaid, a water pump operator dismissed from a government job, gathered laborers in Dhiban, south of Amman, to protest poor working conditions. Hundreds of others joined, and a week later demonstrations spread to other cities.

The authorities have occasionally intervened to forcibly contain the dissent. In March, riot police officers and government loyalists injured scores of protesters who had pitched a tent camp intended to imitate Cairo’s Tahrir Square.

The foreign minister, Nasser Judeh, argued that Jordan’s reaction to the protests was mild compared with those of other Arab countries. “It’s very difficult to forget that not a single bullet was fired,” he said. “We deal with things in a civilized way. The system is listening and the system is responding. In Jordan, reform is led by the king.”

But some protest leaders, deeply skeptical, say they plan to escalate both their statements and their activism. Their attempt at a sit-in on Friday seemed to reflect a new approach.

Other activists said that slogans shouted at marches already make more direct references to the king — tying him, for example, to the cheap sale of public land to private companies. “Abdullah, son of Hussein,” goes one chant, heard at protests recently outside of Amman. “Where is the land, where?”

Kamal Khoury, a 25-year-old protester allied with a leftist movement, said: “Something has broken — some kind of silence. More and more people are speaking about the king.”

But the protesters face long odds. Many of their problems are self-inflicted, by a fractured movement that has argued about ideology and tactics. A coalition that includes young people, leftists and workers stopped marching with the Muslim Brotherhood, accusing it of trying to hijack the movement and secretly collaborating with the government.

Jordan’s foreign allies have provided the king valuable cover, including Saudi Arabia, the kingdom’s most generous financial benefactor, and the United States, which provides political and military support. An invitation to Jordan to join a regional grouping of Arab states — also extended to Morocco — is seen as another attempt to strengthen a friendly monarchy in a turbulent times.

The authorities have also undermined the opposition by exploiting Jordan’s deep schism, between so-called East Bank Jordanians and citizens of Palestinian origin, over fears that the Palestinians are trying to take over the country.

And online activists say dissent has brought government hackers to their Web sites or led to arrests. Alaa Fazzaa, a journalist, was arrested in May for linking to a page that advocated naming King Abdullah’s half brother, Prince Hamzah, as crown prince...

Jordanians protest govt. brutality

2011-11-13T15:22:00.000+02:00

Sun Jul 17, 2011

Dozens of Jordanians protest the government's recent brutality against the journalists, who were trying to cover anti-regime rallies.

The protesters, who consisted of journalists and human rights activists, staged a sit-in in the capital, Amman, on Sunday, Xinhua reported.

They voiced outrage at the police brutality against scores of journalists during anti-government demonstrations on Friday.

At least ten people were injured during the crackdown with witnesses saying that some of the assaulted journalists had suffered bruises and fractures.

The Jordan Press Association, who joined the expression of objection, said it would file lawsuits against those involved in the assault.

Tareq Momani, the association's president said that the reporters were only "doing their job."

Emboldened by the revolutions in the Middle East and North Africa, Jordanians have been staging sporadic popular protests since January.

During the Friday rallies, they repeated their demand for the resignation of the prime minister, dissolution of the parliament and implementation of political and economic reforms.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/189530.html.

Jordan riot police held over Amman clashes

2011-11-13T15:21:00.000+02:00

17 July 2011

The Jordanian authorities have detained four police officers on suspicion of using excessive force against pro-democracy protesters and journalists.

Friday saw baton-wielding police officers clash with dozens of demonstrators trying to set up a protest camp in the center of the capital Amman.

At least 15 people were injured in the confrontation.

Among them were several photographers and journalists.

This has led to claims that police targeted reporters to stop them covering the protest.

About 100 journalists held a protest in Amman on Sunday to condemn the police action.

Police spokesman Lt Col Mohamed al-Khatib said an investigation was under way to determine whether policemen had broken the law. He said more officers could be arrested.

The Jordan Press Association has said it plans to sue the country's police department.

Jordan, in common with Arab nations across the Middle East, has seen the recent emergence of a protest movement demanding political and economic reforms, and an end to corruption.

Protesters denounce attack on journalists

2011-11-13T15:19:00.002+02:00

By Hani Hazaimeh

AMMAN - Some 200 people gathered at the Jordan Press Association (JPA) headquarters on Monday to denounce an attack on journalists by riot police on Friday.

The protesters carried banners that read "The media want to try the assailants and those who gave the orders” and “Condemnation and apologies are not enough and will not stop us from seeking justice”.

The protest was preceded by a JPA council meeting during which the members discussed how to bring an end to assaults on journalists.

Last Friday, riot police allegedly attacked journalists covering the first open-ended sit-in in the Kingdom since that of March 24, which also ended in violence and witnessed attacks against reporters.

Friday’s protest attracted some 300 local and international journalists, who almost outnumbered the pro-reform protesters.

Despite a series of preventative measures taken by police and media organizations to protect journalists, including the issuance of orange vests and an instant hotline to lodge complaints, the first hour of what was to be a peaceful sit-in soon witnessed attacks on members of the press, according to journalists.

Media activists said 20 journalists were injured and around 15 sent to hospital.

“The JPA will pursue legal action to prosecute those responsible for the attack on our colleagues,” JPA President Tareq Momani told The Jordan Times yesterday, adding that the JPA council called on all journalists who were attacked by the police to file a complaint.

“We want an independent ad hoc investigation committee to identify those responsible for the attack to bring them to justice. We also want to be part of any investigation and we want a daily update of the procedures,” he said at the protest, which also saw the participation of Hamzah Mansour, secretary general of the Islamic Action Front (IAF), the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood.

He expressed the IAF’s support for and solidarity with the media, claiming that “Friday’s incident and the attack on members of the March 24 youth movement at the Interior Ministry Circle earlier this year were engineered by the same party”.

The Public Security Department has also launched an investigation and suspended four police officers for their role in the violence.

Momani described the arrest of four policemen as “a joke” and insisted that those who took part in the attack, whether physically or by issuing orders, must be held accountable and brought to justice.

Meanwhile, MP Jamil Nimri, also a columnist, condemned the attack and charged that whoever orchestrated it aimed to prevent the media from reporting the incident.

18 July 2011

Clashes erupt at pro-reform protest in Jordan

2011-11-10T15:36:00.000+02:00

15 Jul 2011

Several people injured as police use batons to break up anti-government demonstration in Amman.

At least 10 people have been injured amid efforts by police to stop clashes between demonstrators and government supporters in the center of the Jordanian capital, Amman.

Police used batons on Friday to disperse people outside city hall, beating and injuring nine journalists.

The clashes took place after about 2,000 people, including Islamists and youth groups, marched from the city's Al-Husseini mosque to the city hall.

An Al Jazeera correspondent and several other journalists, including a Reuters cameraman, said they were attacked by police.

The wounded included an AFP photographer and a female activist.

Al Jazeera's Nisreen El Shamayleh, reporting from the scene of the clashes, said: "The protesters were attacked by riot police and public security personnel at the beginning of the sit-in that they were planning to hold at Al Nakheel Square.

"They weren't allowing the protesters to enter [the square] and that is when the clashes started.

"Only after the clashes began and several people were injured that they allowed people to [begin the sit-in]."

Fahim Karim, a New York Times reporter, was beaten by 10 policemen while a photographer who works for another international news agency said he was ordered by police not to shoot the scene.

Protesters' accounts

One protester told Al Jazeera: "During the march the security forces attacked us. We had to make for the women to escape the assault as one woman had already passed out.

Another said he was kicked in the stomach by one of the royal guards while trying to protect "the women in the march".

Besides Amman, rallies for reform and against "rampant corruption" also took place in Tafileh, Man and Karak in the country's south, and in Irbid and Jerash in the north.

Our correspondent said there is a definite feeling in Jordan that there is no serious motivation to implement real and true democratic reforms in the country.

Jordan has faced a protest movement demanding political and economic reforms and an end to corruption, since January.

Security forces have previously prevented demonstrators demanding the removal of the government, but not King Abdullah, who appoints the cabinet and has wide powers, from assembling at main squares.

The clampdown appears to have been prompted by fears of mass crowds as seen in Egypt and Tunisia where long-serving leaders were overthrown earlier this year.

Jordan police attack anti-govt. march

2011-11-09T15:10:00.000+02:00

Fri Jul 15, 2011

At least ten people have been injured after Jordanian police attacked anti-government protesters demanding reforms in the capital, Amman.

The unrest took place as hundreds of demonstrators shouting anti-government slogans tried to march from the al-Husseini mosque to the city hall on Friday.

Most of the injured are reported to be journalists.

"We were beaten by police, although we were wearing special press vests. We thought we would be safe when we stood next to the police and away from the clashes," said an AFP photographer who was injured by Jordanian police.

Some reports, however, suggest that police armed with batons got involved after pro- and anti-government supporters clashed.

Jordanian protesters demand political and economic reforms and an end to corruption. They have also called for the resignation of Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit's and his cabinet and dissolution of the parliament, which they see as a puppet of the regime.

"Rulers, we want to reform the regime. We want the palace to hear the voices of Jordanians," the demonstrators chanted on Friday.

"We need political, economic and social reforms for future generations," and "It's our right to fight corruption," read banners carried by anti-government protesters in Amman.

Similar anti-government protest rallies were also held in the southern cities of Tafileh, Man and Karak, as well as Irbid and Jerash in the north.

Jordan has faced anti-government rallies demanding reforms and an end to corruption since January.

Last month, in a bid to appease protesters, King Abdullah II announced some concessions, including the formation of future governments that were based on an elected parliamentary majority rather than one appointed by the monarch.

But he later said it may take two to three years to put an elected government in place.

Jordan considers Iranian offer after Egypt gas disruptions

2011-11-01T15:47:00.002+02:00

AMMAN (BNO NEWS) — Jordan said on Monday that it cannot longer rely on Egyptian gas after repeated pipeline attacks, Ammon News reported.

The Jordanian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Khaled Toukan said Jordan is considering an Iranian offer to supply natural gas to the Kingdom as a means of overcoming its current energy crisis. He said Iran submitted a letter to Jordan expressing its willingness to supply natural gas, but no prices have yet been floated.

Toukan added that Jordan is also considering a number of new options for natural gas, including supplies from Russia and Qatar. The minister earlier said that Jordan will not rely on Egyptian gas as its primary source for generating electrical power because of frequent interruptions in the supply, which has amounted to 82 days since the start of 2011.

The Iranian ambassador in Amman, Mustafa Zadeh, said that Jordan has not yet replied to his country’s offer which was submitted more than a month ago. He added that details of quantity and pricing would be negotiated once the Jordanian government responds.

Egypt and Jordan earlier agreed to raise the 2012 supply to 220 million cubic feet. On Friday, Toukan told Jordanian television that an initial agreement to review gas prices had been signed between Egypt and Jordan.

Pipelines carrying natural gas to Israel and Jordan have been blown up three times since February, forcing a shutdown in gas flow. The latest incident was on 4 July and repairs to the pipeline are expected to be complete by the end of this week.

Monday, July 11th, 2011

Jordan opposition leader claims security apparatus controls government

2011-10-31T14:35:00.000+02:00

Jamal Halaby, The Associated Press
Jul 08, 2011

AMMAN, Jordan - Jordan's Islamist opposition leader Friday issued a rare public denunciation of the country's feared security apparatus, accusing it controlling government policies and seeking to limit free expression.

"Enough is enough," shouted Hamza Mansour of the Islamic Action Front in a speech to 300 protesters outside the prime minister's office to press for his dismissal.

The broadside by Mansour underlines growing frustration with the tight security grip in this pro-U.S. Arab kingdom. In street protests over the past six months — inspired by the revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia — Jordanians accused police and intelligence of using excessive force to quell the demonstrations.

"Intelligence approves Cabinets and dismisses them at will if Cabinet ministers did not implement the policies of limiting the freedom of expression, intimidating citizens and frightening the regime's opponents," claimed Mansour, who leads Jordan's biggest opposition party.

Jordan's Western-trained intelligence network is widely seen as one of the region's most highly regarded spy agencies. It closely co-operates with the United States in its wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and played a role in efforts to battle al-Qaida.

Within Jordan, the intelligence service maintain close control over state affairs. It must approve civil servants before taking up public office, acquiring emigration visas or even driver's licenses.

Mansour did not provide evidence to backup his allegation on intelligence approving and dismissing Cabinet — which is in the hands of King Abdullah II, who has the final say in all matters.

But Mansour insisted that government policies "are meant to maintain the status quo, which is the tight grip of security over everyone."

Prime Minister Marouf al-Bakhit, a former army general, is accused of dragging his feet on promised political reforms, which include amending legislation to give the public a wider say in politics.

Jordanian opposition and protesters say they want Abdullah to remain their king, but want to limit some of his powers. They want the king to stop appointing prime ministers and allow the post to be picked by the elected parliament.

Elsewhere, about 800 Jordanians took to the streets in various demonstrations to demand al-Bakhit step down.

Jordanians call for ouster of PM Bakhit

2011-10-20T11:58:00.000+03:00

By ABDUL JALIL MUSTAFA | ARAB NEWS
Jul 8, 2011

AMMAN: Jordanians demonstrated on Friday for the fifth week in a row in several cities calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit’s government, the dissolution of the lower house of parliament and taking serious moves to punish corrupt officials, witnesses said.

Hundreds of protesters took to the streets after Friday prayers in the city of Tafileh, 180 km south of Amman, to press their demand for Bakhit’s ouster.

They issued a statement rejecting last week’s reshuffle of Bakhit’s cabinet as a fresh evidence of the government’s “weak will” to carry out the needed political reforms and a move designed to “kill the public mobility.”

“The decision-makers have to stop their procrastination, piracy and the cover-up they provide for corrupts,” the statement said.

In the reshuffle, Bakhit appointed nine new ministers, including replacements for the ministers of the Interior, Justice and Health who resigned in connection with the fleeing of the convicted tycoon Khalid Shahin.

Shahin, who was serving a three-year jail term when he fled to London on Feb. 25, is now in Frankfurt under the pretext of seeking medical treatment that he says he could not find locally.

Jordanian authorities said they were in contact with the German government seeking to ensure Shahin’s extradition to Jordan.

Scores of activists demonstrated for the first time in the city of Mafraq, 50 km east of Amman, urging King Abdallah to sack the cabinet and dissolve the House of Representatives. They also called for Bakhit’s trial over his role in the so-called 2007 casino deal, when his government then allowed a London-based investor to build a casino on the eastern shore of the Dead Sea.

Samir Rifai, who succeeded Bakhit as premier, sought to annul the agreement in 2008, contending that it harmed Jordan’s interests and involved taboos because Islamic teachings prohibit gambling.

The lower house voted recently to clear Bakhit of wrongdoings, but implicated former Tourism Minister Osama Dabbas.

Ministry taking measures to ensure enough food supplies during Ramadan

2011-10-08T18:31:00.000+03:00

By Omar Obeidat

AMMAN –– As the holy fasting month of Ramadan will coincide this year with the return of Jordanian expatriates and the tourism high season, the government has started early preparations to ensure food items are available to meet the expected rise in demand.

At a meeting with traders, importers and the Consumer Protection Society, Industry and Trade Minister Hani Mulki stressed that the ministry will take necessary measures to ensure that the supply of basic food commodities during the fasting month meet increasing demand.

The ministry will also take measures to avoid any unjustified rise in food prices, which historically see hikes during the month.

“This year’s Ramadan is different from previous years because it will coincide with the return of Jordanians abroad who will come to spend their holidays in the Kingdom and we also expect the number of Arab tourists to increase significantly in summer,” Mulki said.

More than half a million Jordanians are estimated to be living in the Gulf region, many of whom expected to spend the summer holiday back home.

According to official figures, demand on essential food commodities during the holy month of Ramadan rises by 25-40 per cent, which experts attribute to change of consumption behavior.

Citing ministry figures showing that local production of wheat, barley and vegetables will be enough to cover consumption, the minister expected the prices of food items to remain stable or even go down during the month.

In addition, he said, the government will facilitate importing procedures for the private sector to bring large quantities of foodstuff.

Mulki warned that the ministry could resort to setting a price ceiling in case unreasonably high prices prevail.

Meanwhile, he remarked that authorities will not halt food and vegetable exports to regional and international markets.

The minister rejected as baseless media reports that the government plans to reduce sales tax on certain commodities, saying such reports push importers and traders to be reluctant to bring basic food items into the local market, which he said will affect the strategic storage of these commodities.

Khalil Haj Tawfiq, an importer of foodstuff and a member of Jordan Chamber of Commerce, said importers have asked the government to exempt food products and vegetables from the sales tax in a bid to bring prices down.

Mulki replied that although the state budget is suffering a relatively high deficit, the government is studying such an option to alleviate financial burdens on citizens but a decision in this regard might be included in next year’s budget.

Also attending the meeting were directors of the civil and military consumer corporations who indicated that the corporations have signed deals with suppliers to make sure they have enough stocks of sugar, rice, cooking oil and chicken among others, to meet local needs “even three months after Ramadan”.

10 June 2011

15 Jordanians released from Syrian jails

2011-10-07T18:25:00.000+03:00

By Omar Obeidat and Raed Omari

AMMAN - Syrian authorities on Sunday freed 15 Jordanian prisoners under the general amnesty issued last week by President Bashar Assad, a human rights activist said on Sunday.

Abdul Karim Shraideh, head of the Arab Organization for Human Rights (AOHR), told The Jordan Times yesterday that out of the 250 Jordanians serving prison terms in Syria, 15 were set free.

Shraideh said Abdul Rahman Bashabsheh from Ramtha District was the first prisoner to cross the Jordanian border after serving a four-year prison term in Syria on suspicion of working for the Israeli Mossad.

But Atef Bashabsheh said that his relative Abdul Rahman has spent over 10 years in jail and that he was taken into custody by Syrian police over charges related to damaging the country’s national economy.

“He was 18 years old when he disappeared in Syria where he went to import products from there,” he told The Jordan Times over the phone.

He said that he received a phone call from Abdul Rahman yesterday informing him about the news.

The AOHR’s lawyer added that the other 14 prisoners also arrived in the Kingdom during the afternoon.

“Names of the freed prisoners is still not available to the AOHR and we are still following up on the issue,” he said.

Pointing out that tens of Jordanian prisoners have been behind bars for over 20 years and that some of them never stood for trial, he added that three women are still behind bars: Wafaa Obeidat, Yusra Hayek and Shikha Hayek.

He said that the amnesty decision by Assad should include all Jordanian prisoners there, stressing that the organization will continue its efforts to ensure their freedom.

6 June 2011

Egypt resumes gas supplies to Jordan, minister says

2011-10-07T18:24:00.000+03:00

Sun, 12 June 2011

AMMAN — Egypt has resumed its gas exports to Jordan after a 45-day stoppage due to an attack on a pipeline near the Sinai town of Al Arish, said Energy Minister Khalid Touqan. Since the April 27 blast, Jordan has been forced to incur extra costs associated with using heavy fuel to run its electricity generating plants.

Under an agreement signed in 2001, Jordan receives gas supplies from Egypt through the so-called Arab gas pipeline, which travels northward to supply Syria and Lebanon and, later, Turkey. Over the past few weeks, Jordan and Egypt have conducted negotiations that could lead to a revision of prices for gas supplied to Amman by Cairo.

Egypt’s military rulers have decided that gas prices should be in line with oil prices. — DPA

Jordan's king issues amnesty for thousands

2011-10-07T18:22:00.000+03:00

Jun 8, 2011

Amman - Jordan's King Abdullah II on Wednesday issued a general amnesty to mark the 12th anniversary of his accession expected to lead to the pardoning of thousands of wrongdoers.

The amnesty excludes crimes pertaining to espionage, state security, narcotics, rape, premeditated murder, financing of terrorism, money laundering and the forgery of banknotes.

The move coincided with a pledge by King Abdullah to carry out 'real and speedy' political reforms in the wake of four months of protests inspired by the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt.

A National Dialogue Committee set up by the monarch in March issued proposals earlier this week for new laws governing the election of the lower house of parliament and the formation of political parties in the country.

King Abdullah has also set up a panel to revise the country's constitution, which is expected to put forward its recommendations in a few weeks.

Jordan blasts Israel's killing of Arab protesters on Golan Heights

2011-10-07T18:20:00.000+03:00

By ABDUL JALIL MUSTAFA | ARAB NEWS
Jun 6, 2011

AMMAN: The Jordanian government on Monday condemned the killing of scores of peaceful Arab protesters by Israeli troops on the occupied Syrian Golan Heights on Sunday.

“Israel is applying double standards by preaching values of democracy and freedom and at the same time gives orders to its forces to kill armless people who were protesting the continued occupation of their land in violation of international law and UN resolutions,” Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh said in a statement.

At least 23 people were reportedly killed and scored wounded when Arab protesters approached the Israeli lines on the Golan Heights Sunday to mark the 44th anniversary of occupation of the Syrian territory.

Judeh pointed out that the growing Arab protests against Israeli occupation of Arab lands “reflected pessimism and frustration on the part of Arab peoples over Israel’s obstinacy and failure to respond to serious world efforts” aimed at ending the Arab-Israeli conflict.

He said: “maintaining stability and real security in the Middle East lay in Israel’s evacuation of all Arab lands it occupied in the 1967 war and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.”

Rallies highlight 'inalienable right to return'

2011-10-06T16:19:00.000+03:00

By Mohammad Ben Hussein

AMMAN - Scores of activists joined residents of Baqaa refugee camp in commemorating the 44th anniversary of the June 1967 war, dubbed Naksa, when Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Participants in the rally chanted slogans against any possible deals that overlook their right to return to their homeland.

Organized by the Muslim Brotherhood movement, the rally kicked off in the central part of the camp, the largest in the country.

As protesters marched on the roads of the camp, they chanted pro-resistance slogans and denounced any attempts to settle them permanently in host countries.

“This is a day to remember the loss of Palestine, and to stress on our right to return,” said Ali Asmar, an activist from the Palestinian refugee camp.

Asmar called on the government to shoulder its responsibility of “protecting the right of Palestinians to return to their homeland.”

“We are being hosted by Jordan as refugees. Jordanian authorities have the responsibility to raise our case since we have become Jordanian citizens,” he said, expressing fear that a future agreement between the Palestinian Authority and Israel could lead to settling most refugees in host countries.

According to Mohammad Aqel, head of the Islamic Action Front (IAF) branch in Baqaa, the Palestinian Authority has no right to offer any compromise on the right of refugees to decide their destiny.

“People have been leading a difficult life for decades on hopes of returning to their homeland. They have suffered, sacrificed their blood and life for this cause. It is no one’s right to make a decision on their behalf,” he told The Jordan Times on the sideline of the protest.

Several groups in Jordan have joined others across the Arab region to voice concern over the future of refugees scattered in the Middle East.

Jordan hosts the highest number of Palestinian refugees who live in 13 refugee camps as well as in main cities, and the majority of them are Jordanian citizens.

Some 700,000 Palestinians fled or were driven from their homes after Israel was created on their land in 1948. About 4.5 million refugees and their descendants now live in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Gaza and the West Bank.

Syria’s Golan Heights and Egypt’s Sinai desert were also occupied during the six-day 1967 war.

The Golan Heights and the West Bank remain under Israeli occupation 44 years later.

Also yesterday, dozens of people reportedly rallied at the village of Karamah in the Jordan Valley, which is near the borders with the occupied Palestinian territories, to commemorate the Naksa.

Participants, who carried Jordanian and Palestinian flags, stressed their right to return to Palestine, rejecting what they called the conspiracy of a substitute homeland, referring to a campaign by Israeli extremist politicians who look at Jordan as the future state of Palestinians.

In a related development, opposition parties in Jordan on Sunday called on the UN to respect the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

In a memorandum handed to the UN office in Amman on the occasion of the Naksa, the parties said Israel has violated all international resolutions and committed war crimes against Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza, demanding holding Israeli war “criminals” accountable for the crimes against Palestinians, Petra said.

The opposition parties also called for the immediate release of Jordanian, Palestinian and Arab prisoners of war in Israeli jails.

6 June 2011

Jordanian MB Forms Political Alliance to Fight Corruption

2011-10-06T16:18:00.000+03:00

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Disregarding ideological differences, Jordan’s Muslim Brotherhood offshoot, the Islamic Action Front, and leftist parties formed a National Reform Front (NRF) to combat corruption.

According to PM Ahmed Obeidat, the coalition was formed to create a national reform strategy. He asserted that the NRF's priority is to put the country on the right democratic track and to fight corruption and tyranny which are Jordan’s main problems. He added that fighting corruption starts with reforming the regime itself.

Mohammad Masri, a researcher at the University of Jordan’s Center for Strategic Studies stated that Jordan’s corruption was similar to the situation in the region, referring to Tunisia, Egypt and Syria, where corruption was a key element responsible for the uprisings.

Since January, Jordan has been facing a protest movement demanding political and economic reforms, and an end to corruption.

Saudi Arabia gives $400 mln cash grant to Jordan

2011-10-03T12:58:00.000+03:00

June 04, 2011

AMMAN: Saudi Arabia gave Jordan a $400 million cash grant that will improve the country’s fiscal stability after extra social spending earlier this year widened the budget deficit, Jordan’s finance minister said.

Mohammad Abu Hammour told Reuters the cash grant will be channeled to infrastructure projects and capital expenditure which had been curtailed in a 6.369 billion dinar ($8.98 billion) revised budget last February that allocated more funding to a $650 million social package.

The Saudi grant would help Jordan consolidate its finances to ensure a robust upturn and maintain a 2011 budget deficit target at 5.5 percent of gross domestic product despite a soaring oil import bill and extra social costs.

Protests that have swept across North Africa and the Middle East reached Jordan and pushed the authorities earlier this year to introduce a social safety net to mitigate the impact of food inflation that many blame for the eroding standard of living among lower and middle class Jordanians.

“This will reflect positively on the level of services granted to Jordanians and will help to overcome some of the difficulties faced by the budget,” Abu Hammour said.

Jordan hoped to cut the budget deficit to 3 percent of gross domestic product by 2013, Abu Hammour said.

Jordan was also hoping its future alignment with the Gulf Cooperation Council which last month welcomed Amman’s future membership could bring financial benefits for its struggling economy.

The kingdom has traditionally had close business and economic relations with the oil rich region and businessmen hope better access to Gulf markets could boost Jordanian exports while easing labor restrictions could reduce unemployment.

The economy relies heavily on aid and remittances from a large expatriate labor force working in the Gulf.

Despite uncertainty from current unrest in the region, Abu Hammour said that he was confident and the outlook for the economy was “very positive” with more investment and tax incentives in the pipeline to attract higher foreign direct investment and regional capital inflows.

The government still maintained a 3.5 percent growth target his year, in line with IMF projections, seeing economic recovery gathering momentum, Abu Hammour said.

Jordan Islamists, leftists unite against corruption

2011-10-01T17:00:00.000+03:00

By Randa Habib (AFP) – Jun 1, 2011

AMMAN — Opposition Islamists and leftists in Jordan have joined forces in an improbable partnership against corruption, as the government faces a crisis after two ministers resigned over a graft case.

Despite their different ideologies, the Muslim Brotherhood and leftist parties last week formed a National Reform Front (NRF) led by former prime minister Ahmad Obeidat.

"The NRF's priority is to create a national reform strategy to put the country on the right democratic track and to fight corruption, including in political life," said Obeidat, who is well respected by Jordanians.

"Tyranny and corruption are Jordan's main problems. Fighting corruption starts with reforming the regime itself."

Mohammad Masri, a researcher at University of Jordan's Center for Strategic Studies, said "all Jordanians agree on the need to fight corruption, which affects their lives that are already burdened with an economic crisis."

"It was the same situation in Tunisia, Egypt and Syria, where corruption was a key element in creating uprisings," Masri told AFP.

The justice and health ministers resigned last Thursday after top businessman Khalid Shahin, jailed for corruption, was allowed to leave prison for medical treatment in the United States.

Shahin and three others, including a former minister, were sentenced last year to three years in jail over graft payments as part of a $2.1-billion project to upgrade the Jordan Petroleum Refinery Company, which runs the kingdom's sole refinery.

In February, the government allowed Shahin to travel to the United States -- but there was an outcry in Jordan when, in April, he was spotted in a London restaurant.

"The issue of Khalid Shahin has become a symbol of how the government deals with corruption: there is no accountability and the corrupt are protected," Masri said.

On Wednesday, journalist Alaa Fazzaa was arrested for allegedly "undermining the monarchy and the constitution". He had published a report online that accused senior officials of helping Shahin leave the country.

King Abdullah II ordered Fazzaa's release from jail, according to the palace, but it was still unclear if the case against him had been dropped.

"Jordan suffers from squandering public funds and corruption, which are two sides of the same coin," said economist and former minister Samir Tawil.

"The country's foreign debt is now $17 billion (11.8 billion euros), while it was nine billion dollars in 2003, despite revenue of four billion dollars from privatization, and increased taxes."

Tawil added: "People are wondering what happened to the $12 billion. Those suspected of corruption must declare how they acquired their wealth."

For Masri, Jordanians "want to see the corrupt behind bars".

"There are many rumors about corruption. Everything should be investigated by a commission of senior and well-respected judges," he said.

The king urged the government last Wednesday to "protect the innocent victims of slander and hatred", including members of his family.

Prime Minister Maaruf Bakhit said Thursday that "the government will take the necessary legal measures against all those who accuse officials of corruption without proof."

Since January, Jordan has been facing a protest movement demanding political and economic reforms, and an end to corruption.

Copyright © 2011 AFP. All rights reserved.

Libyan children to receive treatment in Jordan

2011-09-29T17:28:00.000+03:00

2011-05-31

AMMONNEWS - The first group of Libyan children who have been injured during the current unrest sweeping the north African nation will arrive in Jordan next week to receive treatment at Jordanian hospitals.

According to Executive Director of the Jordan Private Hospitals Association PHA, Abdullah Hindawi, a total of 100 Libyan children will receive free treatment and medical care at a number of private hospitals in the Kingdom.

He said the children will arrive in four batches and will be flown by the Royal Jordanian Air Force in cooperation with the Royal Medical Services.

Hindawi added that the injured children were selected by a special Libyan medical committee in coordination with the PHA.

Eitan Appointed Envoy to Libya's Rebel Council

2011-09-29T17:26:00.002+03:00

2011-06-01

AMMONNEWS - Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh on Wednesday appointed Fawaz Eitan to be the Jordanian commissioned envoy in Benghazi.

Eitan will serve as Jordan's first diplomat to Libya's rebel-led National Transitional Council.

Al Eitan will leave Jordan the next few days, official sources said.

The Foreign Ministry's decision comes a week after Amman recognized the National Transitional Council as the "legitimate representative of the Libyan people."

Govt Stabilizes Fuel Prices, Endorses Teachers' Association Draft Law

2011-09-29T17:25:00.000+03:00

2011-05-31

AMMONNEWS - The cabinet on Tuesday approved the draft law to establish a teachers' professional association, and decided to stabilize fuel prices for next month.

In its session headed by Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit on Tuesday, the cabinet endorsed the teachers' professional association draft law in preparation to refer it to the Lower House of Parliament for endorsement during its extraordinary session expected to be held next month.

Also on Tuesday, the Oil Derivatives Pricing Committee in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources decided to stabilize 90 and 95 Octane gas prices, in addition to steady prices of Kerosene and residential propane gas for the time period between June 1st, 2011 until June 28, 2011.

Jordan pledges support for Libya rebel council

2011-09-29T17:24:00.001+03:00

AMMAN May 24 (Reuters) - Jordan's Foreign Minister Nasser Joudeh said on Tuesday the kingdom recognized Libya's rebel council as a legitimate representative of Libya's people and planned to open an office in the rebel-held city of Benghazi.

Joudeh said Amman considered the Benghazi-based Transitional National Council (TNC) had organized a credible interim council that was committed to democracy.

"We consider it a legitimate representative of the Libyan people ... It adopts stances that reflect the demands of the Libyan people and their hopes to move to a new stage," Joudeh was quoted as saying by Petra state news agency.

U.S. ally Jordan last month said it sent fighter aircraft to provide logistical support for the no-fly zone over Libya and to protect aid flights from the kingdom.

It also took measures to freeze financial assets held by Muammar Gaddafi's government.

Rebels are fighting to topple Gaddafi after his 41 years in power. NATO forces are bombing his forces but the conflict has been deadlocked for weeks.

The United States bolstered the credentials of the rebel National Transitional Council as a potential government-in-waiting on Tuesday when a senior U.S. envoy invited it to set up a representative office in Washington. (Reporting by Suleiman al-Khalidi; Editing by Andrew Heavens)

Jordan opposition calls for government's resignation

2011-09-07T08:24:00.000+03:00

By ABDUL JALIL MUSTAFA | ARAB NEWS
May 31, 2011

AMMAN: Jordan’s main opposition party, the Islamic Action Front (IAF), and the country’s strongest pro-democracy coalition on Monday urged the resignation of Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit’s government for its failure to adopt the needed reforms.

“The way out of the deep crisis we experience lies in the formation of a national reform government, to be led by a national personality which believes in reforms and adopts a program with clear objectives, including the adoption of real, political and constitutional reforms,” the IAF said in a statement.

The IAF, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood movement, considered last week’s resignation of two Cabinet ministers indicative of Bakhit’s failure to fight corruption and “the unprecedented political, economic and social crisis Jordan is grappling with.”

Bakhit said that the Justice Minister Hussein Megalli and Health Minister Yassin Hosban resigned on Thursday to concede responsibility for the ”mistakes” committed in their ministries that enabled the convicted businessman Khalid Shahin to flee from the country on Feb. 25.

In his resignation letter to the prime minister, Megalli said that he had decided to resign because he found the “path of reforms deadlocked.”

Local media on Monday expected more cabinet ministers to quit in connection with Shahin’s affair that dominated the thinking of the Jordanian public opinion over the past three months.

Shahin was serving a three-year jail term after the State Security Court found him guilty of bribery in his bid to obtain a 1.2-billion-dollar contract for the expansion of the country’s sole refinery.

The call for Bakhit’s resignation also came on Monday from the March 24 Youth group, which has set July 14 a date for a marathon rally to protest the failure to adopt the required political and constitutional reforms in the country, including an independent judiciary.

“We hereby promise our people that we will not back down in our struggle to accomplish radical reforms and disclose all corruption files and ensure punishment of those involved,” the gathering said in a strongly-worded statement.

GIZ organizes a roundtable discussion on sustainable use of treated wastewater in agriculture in Jordan

2011-09-03T05:31:00.000+03:00

2011-05-29

AMMONNEWS – On behalf the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the German-Jordanian Water Program ‘Management of Water Resources’ held, on Sunday 29 May, a roundtable discussion on establishing a risk monitoring and management system for the use of reclaimed water in agriculture in Jordan, in accordance with the latest version of WHO guidelines.

It is worth mentioning that the proposed risk monitoring and management system consists of two major parts: The first looks into assuring sound and effective monitoring system for water, soil, and crops, while the second revolves around implementing all possible measures to eliminate or mitigate risks.

The roundtable aimed at bringing all stakeholders together to discuss the proposed risks of monitoring and management system, which was developed by interdisciplinary working group from the involved stakeholders. In addition, the necessary proceedings for efficient institutionalization of the proposed system were discussed.

The state crop-monitoring program for crops produced with treated wastewater, currently being implemented by the Jordanian Food and Drug Administration (JFDA), is perceived as one of the main achievement of the GIZ Water Program and considered as a corner stone in the monitoring system. The results of this program confirmed the safety of the crops being irrigated with treated wastewater, which gives irrefutable evidence that the reuse of treated wastewater in irrigation is a safe practice.

Jordan comes as one of the pioneer countries in field of modern irrigation techniques and treated wastewater reuse. The support of Jordan Valley Authority, represented by mega infrastructures (like dams, irrigation networks) in the Jordan Valley, paves the way for wider reuse of treated wastewater. One of the many advantages of treated wastewater reuse is save the use of synthetic fertilizers because treated wastewater is rich in plants nutrients. Results of intensive demonstration trials conducted jointly by GIZ and the Jordan Valley Authority, in collaboration with the Jordan Valley farmers, showed that each farm unit (35 dunum) can yearly save around JD1000 – 3000 which is equivalent to no less than JD4 million countrywide.

The Federal Republic of Germany and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan share a longstanding partnership in Development Cooperation. German-Jordanian development cooperation is focused on the water sector. The German Government through its implementing agencies (GIZ. KfW, BGR, CIM) aims at supporting Jordan with the establishment of a comprehensive integrated water resources management. Other German-Jordanian activities include school construction, renewable energies and capacity building.

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GMBH is owned by the Federal Republic of Germany. We work worldwide in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development and international education. Our mandate is to support the German government in achieving its objectives in these fields. We provide viable forward-looking solutions for political, economic, ecological and social development in a globalized world. Sometimes working under difficult conditions, we promote complex reforms and change processes. Our corporate objective is to improve people’s lives on a sustainable basis.

Iraq, Jordan Sign Deal for Railway Line Linking Port of Aqaba to Baghdad

2011-09-03T05:29:00.000+03:00

By Nayla Razzouk
May 29, 2011

Jordan and Iraq signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a rail line linking the Jordanian Red Sea port of Aqaba with the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, Petra said, citing Jordanian Transport Minister Muhannad Qudah.

The agreement for a line that would provide passenger and cargo services was signed by Qudah and visiting Iraqi Transport Minister Hadi al-Ameri in Amman today, the Jordanian official agency said. There were no further details on the project. Those will be decided later by a joint committee, Petra said.

Jordan has plans for a $3.1 billion rail network running 950 kilometers (590 miles) to connect the kingdom with Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The kingdom is due to start the first bids for the project by the end of June, Qudah said April 11.

Jordan’s government will provide 370 million dinars ($522 million) for the project and potential lenders include the World Bank, European Investment Bank, France’s state-run Agence Francaise de Developement, the Islamic Development Bank, the Saudi Fund for Development, the Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Economic Development, the Kuwait-based Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, the Japan Bank for International Cooperation and Germany’s state-owned development bank KfW, he said.

Activists plan solidarity trip to Bergesh Forest

2011-08-28T16:30:00.000+03:00

By Hana Namrouqa

AMMAN - Environmentalists and activists will go on a solidarity trip next month to Bergesh Forest, the site selected for the construction of a military academy.

The activists are calling for the relocation of the academy, the construction of which could entail uprooting hundreds of centennial trees in one of Jordan's few forests.

The solidarity trip, organized by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) and the Save Bergesh Forest from Execution Campaign, is one form of objecting to the construction of the project. Over the past five months, activists have held several sit-ins in different locations.

"Participants will come with their families to highlight that Bergesh Forest is one of Jordan's last remaining breathing spaces. It is another stand against the construction of the project at the expense of our trees," Omar Shoshan, head of the RSCN’s environmental policies section, told The Jordan Times yesterday.

Construction work on the military academy started in early January but was halted after several environmental NGOs and MPs objected to the site, situated in the heavily wooded Bergesh Forest.

If the project had gone ahead in the original site, located 90 kilometers northwest of the capital in Ajloun Governorate, it would have resulted in the uprooting of 2,200 oak, pistachio, hawthorn and strawberry trees, each over a century old, according to environmentalists.

Following deliberations between the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF) and a Lower House committee probing the academy’s construction, the project was relocated to another site where fewer trees would be cut.

Earlier this month, the JAF issued a statement announcing that the blueprints for the academy had been altered to limit the number of uprooted trees to 200 non-centennial trees.

The statement said that for each uprooted tree, 20 saplings will be planted in the area, and that 2 per cent of the 1,200-dunum area slated for use by the academy includes forest trees and will only be used for training purposes.

“The JAF has worked to ensure that the project does not include any industrial elements that could potentially harm the environment and [the project] meets green building requirements,” added the statement, which was carried by the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

But environmental NGOs, activists, MPs and local residents say they want to avoid cutting down a single tree - pointing to the Kingdom’s rapidly depleting green cover.

Forests constitute less than 1 per cent of the Kingdom’s area, while the green cover in Bergesh stands at 90 per cent, according to the RSCN.

The forest represents an integrated ecosystem that houses over 100 plant species - 13 per cent listed as rare, 4 per cent as locally or internationally threatened and 13 per cent as holding medicinal value.

Shoshan said an alliance of environmental NGOs operating in Jordan will this week send a letter to all decision makers involved in the project, including the JAF, the ministries of environment and agriculture and MPs among others.

"The letter will again clarify our point of view that we don’t oppose the project, but call for its relocation to avoid cutting down Bergesh trees. The letter will remind decision makers of the laws that will be violated if the project continues," he added.

If the project goes ahead, it will be in clear violation of Article 35, paragraph B of the Agriculture Law, which forbids uprooting, damaging or violating any centennial or rare forest trees and threatened wild plants, according to the RSCN.

29 May 2011

Jordanians protest, demanding government change

2011-08-16T18:46:00.000+03:00

AFP, Friday 27 May 2011

Friday protests in Jordan draw thousands to the streets as demonstrators call for the fall of the government and an end to corruption.

More than 1,000 Jordanians demonstrated in the southern town of Tafileh Friday, demanding the fall of the government and urging an end to corruption, protesters said.

Rallied by a group calling itself "The Youth of Tafileh", protesters chanted slogans such as "People want the government to fall", "We will not be silent and continue to expose corruption", and "Destiny will help the people who want to survive."

The Friday protests come as King Abdullah II urged the government Wednesday to "protect the innocent victims of slander and hatred", including members of his family.

Prime Minister Maaruf Bakhit said Thursday that "the government will take the necessary legal measures against all those who accuse officials of corruption without proof."

Since January, Jordan has been facing a protest movement demanding political and economic reforms, and an end to corruption.

In response, King Abdullah on April 26 created a commission to propose constitutional reform.

Jordan premier under fresh pressure to resign

2011-08-16T18:41:00.000+03:00

By ABDUL JALIL MUSTAFA | ARAB NEWS
May 27, 2011

AMMAN: Hundreds of Jordanians demonstrated in Tafileh, 180 km south of Amman, on Friday demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit’s government, eyewitnesses said.

The protesters also urged the dissolution of the lower house of Parliament and severing diplomatic ties with Israel.

“The people want the resignation of Bakhit,” one of the slogans chanted said. Another read “You should step down, Bakhit, because you have no intention of conducting reforms”.

The demonstrators celebrated the resignation on Thursday of the Justice Minister Hussein Megalli and Health Minister Yassin Hosban.

Bakhit told a press conference on Thursday the two ministers resigned in connection with the illegal departure from the country on Feb. 25 of the convicted businessman Khalid Shahin.

However, the two ministers indicated in remarks to the local media that their quitting from the Cabinet had nothing today with Shahin’s affair which dominated local politics over the past three month.

Shahin, who is currently in London, was serving a three-year jail term when the authorities caught the public opinion with surprise by declaring that he was allowed to travel abroad to receive medical treatment which he lacked locally.

Bakhit apparently had ordered the two ministers to submit their resignation after King Abdallah sent him a strongly-worded letter ordering him to take “transparent legal steps” to punish those were involved in corruption cases that surfaced recently, political sources said.

In his resignation letter to Bakhit, Megalli said he had decided to step down “after he found the government’s priorities in disarray and the path of reform deadlocked”.

The demonstrators in Tafileh also burned an Israeli flag and urged the abrogation of the peace treaty with Israel.

They said that they were responding to a move by the extremist member of the Israeli Knesset, Arieh Eldad, who on Monday approached the Jordanian Embassy in Israel with a petition calling on King Abdallah to set up a Palestinian state in Jordan instead of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

The Jordanian diplomatic mission refused to receive the document and called Israeli police who removed Eldad, a member of the National Union Party, from the area.

A similar demonstration was also staged after Friday prayers in the city of Maan, 210 km south of Amman.

Hizb ut-Tahrir Protest at Syrian-Jordanian border warns of foreign intervention

2011-08-14T14:17:00.000+03:00

Tuesday, 24 May 2011

AMMONNEWS - Jordanian authorities and security forces on Friday prevented hundreds of protestors in Ramtha, northern Jordan, from reaching the Syrian-Jordanian border during a protest against the Syrian regime's crackdown on Syrian pro-reformers.

Hundreds of activists and members of the banned "Hizb ut-Tahrir" movement marched following Friday noon prayers from Al Taqwa Mosque in the border town in a solidarity stand with the Syrian people.

Hizb ut-Tahrir protestors chanted slogans criticizing "Arab silence" towards the bloody events in Syria, and called on the Arab League to take action to protect the Syrian people.

The protestors were stopped from marching towards the Syrian-Jordanian border and staged a sit-in near the state-run Ramtha hospital.

Several speakers blasted the military crackdown on Syrian activists whose demands have escalated to call for the ouster of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad following bloody clashes in several Syrian cities.

Protestors warned against foreign intervention in the Syrian political scene, and blasted US President Obama's speech on Thursday and US administration's position towards events in the region.

They urged Arab intervention in resolving "Arab-Arab" issues, and warned against continued "Western intervention" in the region.

Banan Malkawi
24th May 2011

Source: Ammon News

Jordan's king warns of new intifada as Israel approves settlements

2011-08-12T13:56:00.000+03:00

May 23, 2011

WASHINGTON/OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: The prolonged stalemate in the Middle East peace process will lead to yet another war between Israel and the Palestinians, Jordan’s King Abdullah II warned in an interview broadcast Sunday.

“I just have a feeling that we’re going to be living with the status quo for 2011 … Whenever we accept the status quo, we do so until there is another war,” Abdullah told ABC television’s “This Week.”

“If you look to the past 10 years, every two to two-and-a-half years, there is either the intifada or a war or a conflict. So looking back over the past 12 years, my experience shows me that if we ignore the Israeli-Palestinian issue, something will burst,” the monarch said.

Earlier Sunday, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak approved the construction of 294 new homes in the Beitar Ilit settlement in the occupied West Bank, anti-settlement NGO Peace Now reported.

It also said that work had started on more than 2,000 settler homes since the end in September of Israel’s 10-month freeze on Jewish construction on Palestinian land.

Peace Now said Barak has also approved building of homes for the elderly and a shopping center in the settlement of Efrat.

The group could not say exactly when Barak had signed off on the projects, although it said that it had seen a letter dated April 28 from the Defense Ministry advising the Housing Ministry of its decision.

The plans still need local authority permits to build but that is considered a formality, requiring no further government action, Peace Now said.

The Defense Ministry, contacted by AFP, issued a brief statement saying that “since the end of the freeze period a few building permits have been approved for communities situated in the [settlement] blocs to meet their living needs.”

Peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians have been on hold since late September, when the partial Israeli settlement freeze expired and Netanyahu declined to renew it.

Peace Now said Sunday that since the moratorium had been lifted Israeli settlers had started construction on about 2,000 homes in 75 different settlement sites.

“This construction might create facts on the ground that will make the price of peace much higher for Israel,” it said in a statement, adding that one-third of the new construction was going on beyond Israel’s West Bank barrier, which itself regularly cuts into land the Palestinians claim for their future state.

Peace Now added that in addition the Israeli government had given planning permission to 800 new homes in 13 settlements.

Peace Now called that decision “not just miserable timing but a miserable policy” and said it sent a “clear message to the Americans.”

The Palestinians have insisted they will not talk while Israel builds on land they want for a future state, and Israel has attracted fierce international criticism for its settlement policy.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has said Israel must choose “between settlements and peace.”

But in response to U.S. President Barack Obama’s speech Sunday, Netanyahu issued a blunt statement rejecting the pre-1967 lines as a basis for negotiation.

Meanwhile, Palestinian factions, including Fatah and Hamas, will seek Russian backing for a new government after their reconciliation deal at talks with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Monday, a delegate said.

“We are expecting that he will show his support for the reconciliation accord and the formation of the new Palestinian government,” Bassam Salhi, leader of the Palestinian People’s Party, told AFP on the eve of the talks in Moscow.

Salhi said that the factions had held talks among themselves over the weekend about the formation of a national unity government, without giving further details.

The factions are due to meet Lavrov Monday morning where they will try to drum up support from Moscow for the reconciliation accord.

Jordanian officer killed, four injured in Afghanistan

2011-08-12T13:53:00.000+03:00

By ABDUL JALIL MUSTAFA | ARAB NEWS
May 22, 2011

AMMAN: A Jordanian Army officer was killed and four soldiers injured Sunday when a roadside bomb exploded as a humanitarian convoy passed by in the Afghan Lugar province, a spokesman for the Jordanian armed forces said in a statement.

The statement, carried by the official Petra news agency, identified the officer killed as First Lt. Majed Abu Qudairi. ”The four wounded are in good health,” the army spokesman said.

“The General Command of the Armed Forces is making the necessary arrangements with the Jordanian contingent in Afghanistan to bring home the martyr and the wounded, so that they can receive treatment at Jordanian hospitals,” he added.

This is the second Jordanian fatality in Afghanistan in less than 18 months.

On Dec. 30, 2009, a Jordanian intelligence officer, Captain Ali bin Zeid, was killed along with seven leading members of the US Central Intelligence Agency at a US forward base in the eastern province of Khost in a suicidal attack that was carried out by a Jordanian doctor, Humam Balawi.

Balawi turned out later to have been a double agent of the terrorist Al-Qaeda organization and the Jordanian Intelligence Department.

In a related development, Jordan’s top criminal court on Sunday acquitted two prominent Jordanian writers of charges directed against them for strongly criticizing Jordan’s intelligence cooperation with the United States in Afghanistan.

Sofian Tal and Muwaffaq Mahadin were found not guilty on the charges of offending ties with a foreign country, provoking sectarian and racial feuds and calling for the overthrow of constitutional government through violent means.

The new fatality is expected to stir a new wave of criticism inside Jordan, which has witnesses a series of demonstrations over the past four months to press demands for reform and fighting corruption.

The authorities so far kept a tight lid on the number of Jordanian troops operating in Afghanistan to support humanitarian operations there, but NATO’s website put the number at 90 alongside other contributions to the multinational force.

Demonstration in Jordan in support of Syria's anti-Assad protests

2011-08-10T09:40:00.000+03:00

May 21, 2011

Amman - Hundreds of Syrians living in Jordan staged a demonstration outside the United Nations office in Amman on Saturday, in support of protesters in Syria calling for the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad.

They crowd held up placards and chanted slogans against al-Assad, calling for and end to his leadership and security crackdown on protests in Syria.

Meanwhile, Jordanian media reported that the government had asked the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood movement, whose leaders have been given refuge in the country, to stop protests outside the Syrian embassy in Amman.

Jordan's King Abdullah II, who ended a visit to the United States earlier this week, has reportedly asked US President Barack Obama to give al-Assad 'a chance' to implement the reforms that protesters are demanding.

Authorities on Friday prevented hundreds of Jordanians from demonstrating near Ramtha and in support of protesters across the border in the Syrian city of Daraa.

Paramount, CBS and Rubicon to Build Star Trek Resort in Jordan

2011-08-10T09:38:00.000+03:00

Ancient Middle Eastern history and culture to mix with Star Trek®
Estimated $1 Billion+ project scheduled for 2014 opening

Amman, Jordan, May 21, 2011 - [ME NewsWire]: Rubicon Group Holding, a diversified global entertainment organization producing innovative digital animated content and location-based attractions, will design and produce The Red Sea Astrarium (TRSA), a 184-acre themed entertainment resort located in Aqaba, Jordan, which, through a license from CBS Consumer Products, will prominently feature an amazing attraction inspired by the 2009 international hit motion picture, Star Trek. The "Star Trek" attraction is being creatively developed by Paramount Recreation.

That announcement was made today by Randa S. Ayoubi, CEO of Rubicon Group Holding at the Jordanian-American Business Forum, under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, in a special signing ceremony attended by business leaders from Jordan and the United States.

TRSA, which will look to the future to celebrate the heritage of the region's past civilizations, will generate employment for more than 500 high-skilled workers in the local community, with Rubicon facilitating the training for these key jobs, as well. The themed entertainment destination will serve as a model for "green energy," incorporating state-of-the-art renewable technologies throughout the facility, and hosting a "future" pavilion where businesses, students and attendees can learn about alternative energy sources ranging from solar and wind energy to greywater harvesting. The project, a milestone in the development of tourism in Jordan, will provide a progressive and entertaining "celebration" of the region's culture and heritage.

From a stunning location in the coastal town of Aqaba, TRSA features classic story telling combined with immersive entertainment experiences to bring about a world-class leisure adventure. Capturing the rich history of the surrounding area, this wondrous attraction draws from Nabatean, Babylonian, British and Roman influences to provide an incomparable adventure. With an impressive array of technologically advanced attractions, five-star accommodations, captivating theatrical productions, nighttime spectacles and unique dining and shopping, The Red Sea Astrarium offers something for everyone.

To complete the chronological spectrum with a futurist perspective, Rubicon has joined with CBS Consumer Products and Paramount Recreation to create a stunning Star Trek-themed center that will deliver a variety of multi-sensory 23rd-century experiences, culminating with a state-of-the art space-flight adventure that takes real-time immersive entertainment experiences to bold new heights. This exciting, world-class attraction will serve as the cornerstone of the TRSA sector's world of tomorrow. This will mark the iconic property's first themed entertainment venue outside the United States.

The Red Sea Astrarium is sure to become a family destination, attracting visitors from the 350 million residents across the Middle East and fun, leisure as well as thrill seekers from all over the world.

Architectural firm Callison has been engaged to work with Rubicon Group Holding and its team of visionaries, including Paramount Recreation and CBS, to master plan and create a world class destination resort.

"TRSA will be a destination showcase in an extraordinary part of Jordan," said Ms. Ayoubi. "The opportunity to lead the design on such a remarkable project and to work with such world class partners as CBS and Paramount is a dream-come-true for the entire Rubicon family. We are honored, elated, and proud to have our Themed Entertainment team in charge of moving this project forward."

"At its core, Star Trek is about bringing worlds together and about a profound hope for the future," said Liz Kalodner, EVP and General Manager of CBS Consumer Products. "We are proud to bring such a unique, interactive Star Trek property to this part of the world to be a part of Jordan's future."

Biggest Protest in Tafileh calling for political, economic reforms

2011-08-07T16:23:00.000+03:00

2011-05-20

By Wael Jaraysheh

AMMONNEWS - A major demonstration on Friday took place in the southern governorate of Tafileh, with residents calling for genuine economic and political reforms.

The protest is the biggest of its kind in the governorate (180 km south of Amman) in years, organized by local residents without any official participation of political parties or civil society organizations.

The demonstrators marched from the Grand Tafileh Mosque towards the governorate building, calling for the ouster of the government and accusing it of "slacking" in implementing reform measures directed by King Abdullah II.

Protestors also called for dissolving the parliament, fighting corruption, and blasted the "security grip" in handling populist activism.

Activist Muhammad Salem Al Arwan said in a speech during the demonstration that Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit has been "procrastinating" in the past two months by presenting to people "failed projects."

He criticized the government's handling of Khalid Shaheen, the business tycoon convicted of bribery last year and allowed to travel abroad under the pretext of seeking medical treatment, and demanded government clarification of the incident.

"There will be no real reform, because the corrupt cannot hold other corrupt individuals accountable," he added.

Retired military official Owdeh Sawalqah criticized the marginalization of Tafileh governorate by successive governments, and called on protestors to demand the ouster of the governor.

He also blasted the government's privatization program, charging that the government has "sold" the important resources of Jordan to the benefit of elite businessman and corrupt officials.

The lack of security presence during the demonstration was noticeable, in comparison to demonstrations on Friday in Amman and other governorates.

Jordanians want 'corrupt, oppressive' govt sacked

2011-08-07T16:21:00.002+03:00

May 20, 2011

AMMAN — Thousands of Jordanians demonstrated on Friday across the kingdom, calling for regime reforms as well as the sacking of what they called the "corrupt and oppressive" government.

"The people want to reform the regime and end tyranny. No to corruption," around 2,500 Islamists and trade unionists chanted as they marched from the King Abdullah Mosque in central Amman to a roundabout near the interior ministry.

"Reform starts with combating corruption and the corrupt," reads a banner carried by the demonstrators.

Muslim Brotherhood chief Hammam Said, who took part in the march, said "we are sending a message to King Abdullah II that reform plans should be accelerated in line with popular demands."

"The regime and government are not serious about reforms," he told AFP.

The Muslim Brotherhood's political arm, the Islamic Action Front, accused Prime Minister Maaruf Bakhit's government of corruption.

"The government is corrupt and oppressive. Reform is inevitable, and rulers have two choices: adopt reforms or quit," Zaki Bani Rsheid, leader of the IAF political office, told the crowds.

In the southern city of Tafileh, around 1,500 demonstrated against corruption, calling for the "downfall of the government."

"Who are the partners of Khaled Shahin," they chanted, referring to a top Jordanian businessman who have been sentenced to three years in jail for corruption.

The government has allowed Shahin to travel to the United States for medical treatment, but he was spotted in a London restaurant in April, which caused an outcry in Jordan.

Also, in Karak, near Tafileh, hundreds of people demonstrated after midday weekly prayers, urging "punishment of the corrupt."

Jordanians have been protesting since January to demand political and economic reforms as well as more efforts to fight corruption.

Copyright © 2011 AFP. All rights reserved.

Thousands across Jordan protest corruption, reform delay

2011-08-07T16:20:00.000+03:00

May 20, 2011

Amman - Thousands took to the streets in Amman and other major Jordanian cities after Friday prayers to protest what demonstrators saw as the government's failure to fight corruption and the delay in adopting political and economic reforms.

Protesters in particular called for the resignation of Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit's government and the dissolution of the lower house of parliament.

At least two demonstrations were organized in Amman by the Islamic-led opposition and trade unions to protest police use of force Sunday to disperse hundreds of activists trying to reach the Israel-controlled border with the West Bank to express support for Palestinian refugees' right to return to their homes in Israel.

At least 25 people, including 11 policemen and a number of journalists, were injured in the clashes that were condemned by the country's main media establishments.

A demonstration was also organized Friday near the Israeli embassy in the neighborhood of Rabia, with participants calling for the closure of the Israeli diplomatic mission and the abrogation of the peace treaty Jordan concluded with the Jewish state in 1994.

In Tafileh, 180 kilometers south of Amman, hundreds of demonstrators chanted slogans and raised placards urging Bakhit to resign, saying he had failed to adopt the required reforms as tasked by King Abdullah II, witnesses said.

Rallies were also reported in the city of Zarqa, 30 kilometers east of Amman, and in Karak, 120 kilometers south of the capital.

Demonstrators criticized the government for allowing the departure from the country of prominent businessman Khalid Shahin, who was serving three years in jail after the State Security Court found him guilty of bribery in connection with a petroleum refinery expansion deal.

The sharp rise in the number of demonstrations on Friday came after a lull of three weeks to give the government time to adopt the demanded political reforms, foremost the drafting of new laws for elections and political parties, organizers said.

Renewed Protests in Amman Blast Corruption

2011-08-03T12:13:00.000+03:00

2011-05-20

By Banan Malkawi

AMMONNEWS - Hundreds of Jordanians on Friday protested in central Amman against government corruption and called for genuine political and economic reforms.

The demonstration, organized by political opposition parties, the Muslim Brotherhood, and the Jordanian Professional Associations, marched from King Abdullah I Mosque to the Interior Ministry Circle, chanting anti-corruption slogans and accusing the government of "slacking" in implementing reform measures.

Over 1,500 protestors marched amidst heavy security presence, and were blocked from reaching the Interior Ministry Circle, where major clashes had taken place on March 24th during a youth sit-in, leaving over 100 injured and one protestor dead.

Friday witnessed several major protests throughout Jordan, calling for reforms and blasting government and security forces' violent handling of pro-reform demonstrations last week.

Other protests also took place near the Israeli Embassy in Amman calling for annulling the Jordanian-Israeli peace process, and others in Karak, Tafileh, and Zarqa governorates.

Muslim Brotherhood leader Zaki Bani Ersheid blasted that the widespread economic corruption in the country is caused by political corruption, leading to the loss of trust and confidence in the government.

He stressed that tangible reform cannot materialize unless powers are given to the people.

Bani Ersheid criticized US President Barack Obama's speech delivered on Thursday, blasting that the American administration is the "power that gives international legitimacy, enables corruption, and creates corrupt governments in the region."

In referring to the "Arab Spring," the Islamist leader applauded the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, and addressed Arab leaders warning "you either implement reform, or be ousted."

On his part, Head of the Jordanian Engineers' Professional Associations Abdullah Obeidat noted that the demands of the Jordanian people are legitimate and that what "we ask for here is much less than what peoples of other countries are demanding."

He stressed that the regime and the government ought to respect the people, blasting that "we were surprised that the government did indeed implement reforms; however they were security reforms."

"An opposition activist used to be taken to a jail cell and beaten there, now, activists are being beaten by security forces publicly in the streets," he added.

Obeidat charged that the widespread corruption in the country has transformed Jordanians in both the public and private sectors into a deprived and poor society that is facing grave economic conditions.

An activist in the March 24th Youth Movement, Abdul Rahman Hassanain, said that the movement is preparing for a major demonstration that would surpass the sit-in two months ago at Gamal Abdul Nasser Square (Interior Ministry Circle).

Senior Muslim Brotherhood leader Hammam Saeed told Ammon News during the protest that the movement is part of the Jordanian society and that their protest today is part of the popular demands all Jordanians are demanding.

"We do not act individually, our activism is part and parcel of the demands of the Jordanian street," he added.

The protestors chanted slogans against corruption, and calling for freedom, reform, and change.

Chants included:

"Change and reform are the demands of the people,"

"Freedom where are you, the government stands between us and you,"

"The people demand saving the economy."

* Additional reporting by Shaheera Khatatbeh and Heba Malkawi

'Disi water uncontaminated'

2011-07-27T19:25:00.002+03:00

By Abeer Numan

AMMAN - The water of the Disi basin is not polluted and is potable, Jordanian Geologists Association President Bahjat Al Adwan said on Tuesday, dismissing a report on a news website claiming otherwise.

Adwan, speaking to The Jordan Times over the phone, denied claims that the basin water is radioactively contaminated.

Adwan said the water does have radon, but the gas disappears as soon as the water is pumped from the underground and reaches the surface.

“As soon as the water is pumped out, a chemical reaction occurs between the air and the gas, causing it to fade away,” said Adwan, adding that water is safe for human consumption and that such reports are damaging.

Any deep-seated underground water has some sort of radioactivity, said Elias Salameh, a University of Jordan professor of hydrogeology and hydrochemistry.

Once the water is pumped out, it is checked for radioactivity, he said, noting that if any high concentration is found, the water is treated.

University of Jordan mineralogy Professor Hani Khouri confirmed that the water is uncontaminated and that radioactivity is a natural occurrence.

“In the case of any remaining radiation, it is easily removed through aeration and filtration processes,” Khouri said.

The Disi water conveyance project, slated for completion in 2013, entails the construction of a pipeline to convey water from the ancient Disi aquifer in southern Jordan to Amman.

The project is expected to provide the capital with 110 million cubic meters of water through the pipeline that will pass through several water stations in Maan, Tafileh, Karak and Madaba.

Ten per cent of the Disi basin is in the south of Jordan and 90 per cent in Saudi Arabia, which uses it for agricultural and drinking purposes.

18 May 2011

Jordan opposition skeptical over Jordan's admission to GCC

2011-07-27T19:12:00.000+03:00

By ABDUL JALIL MUSTAFA | ARAB NEWS
May 18, 2011

AMMAN: A coalition of Jordanian opposition parties on Tuesday warned against the "political and security implications” of the decision by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders to admit Jordan into the oil-rich Arab bloc.

The Higher Coordination Committee of the Opposition Parties held an emergency meeting to discuss the offer in detail on Tuesday and cautioned that the move could lead to the normalization of ties between the GCC countries and Israel.

"The committee welcomes any step that boosts the joint Arab action in general, but the ongoing political developments in the region and the reported proposals for resolving the Arab-Zionist conflict stir concerns over the objectives” of Jordan’s admission to the GCC,” the panel said in a statement.

"Therefore, we warn against the political and security backgrounds of this step which sparks suspicion that it could facilitate the process of normalization with the Zionist enemy, which has been an objective the United States sought to achieve for a long time through putting pressure on Arab countries, particularly the GCC states,” it added.

The committee, which comprises the Islamic Action Front (IAF) and six other Pan-Arab and left-leaning political parties, also cast doubt on the possibility of improving the living standard of the Jordanian people as a result of Jordan’s accession to the 30-year-old alliance.

GCC leaders, who met in Riyadh last week, welcomed the admission of the two pro-West Arab monarchies of Jordan and Morocco to the bloc and invited their foreign ministers to open talks with their counterparts in the GCC with a view to working out the details of the process.

If Jordan joins the GCC, it will be the only Arab state in the expanded entity that maintains official diplomatic ties with Israel.

Jordanian press and analysts have also warned that such a step could jeopardize the country’s fledgling political reform and involve security risks and possible enmity with Iran.

Jordan’s joining of the GCC is expected have figured largely in King Abdallah’s talks with US President Barack Obama at the White House Tuesday.

The Jordanian street and the pro-democracy protests

2011-07-27T19:10:00.000+03:00

WARNING: Article contains propaganda!

* * * * *

By RAY HANANIA
05/17/2011

Yalla Peace: True democracy will not come to the Hashemite Kingdom before a Palestinian state is created.

As citizens across the Arab world have risen in protest against decades of dictatorship in Libya, Egypt, Tunisia and Syria, one might ask why the same hasn’t happened in Jordan?

In all the other countries, the protests seem to share a major characteristic. The governments reflect an element of the population’s religious or tribal minorities, while the protesters have been left out of power. Libya’s troubles are more tribal, Syria’s are more tribal and religious, and Egypt’s troubles are a combination of religious and secular rivalries.

In Libya, dictator Col. Muammar Gaddafi comes from one of the country’s 140 tribes. The war in Libya is a civil war, fueled in large part by the interference of Western powers, including NATO and the US.

The NATO-American alliance was not hesitant to arm and protect the protesters in Libya, while the same Western powers sat back and watched as Egypt’s dictator Hosni Mubarak was slowly pushed from power.

Egypt’s future remains uncertain. It’s a nation made up of several power bases, the largest including secular Muslims, Orthodox Coptic Christians and religious Muslims under the leadership of the Muslim Brotherhood. The Brotherhood was not behind the protests there, and neither were the Coptic Christians. But once Mubarak was removed from office and a military junta took control, the divisions were quickly highlighted by friction. Today, the Coptic Christians are under siege, and their future in Egypt remains uncertain.

In Syria, the ruling regime is controlled by the Alawis or Alawites, a mystical minority branch of Islam that is closer to the Shi’ites than to the Sunnis. Sunni Muslims are the more dominant in the Arab world. The Shi’ites in the region are predominantly Persian, and closer to Iran.

The majority of the Syrian population are Sunnis, although there is a substantial Christian community there too.

But the religious sects are more tribal in Syria, making Bashar Assad and his Alawite minority which control the government an easier target. Bashar’s father, Hafez Assad took control of Syria in a coup in 1970, following rising protests from the Alawite community against the Sunni Muslim and Christian governments.

Jordan is unlike any of the others. The Jordanian people are mainly Beduin Arabs. Jordan was created from the Fertile Crescent lands of Syria and Palestine, occupied by the Allies after World War I. Palestine was divided into two areas, Trans-Jordan to the East of the river and Palestine to the West. This was based on the British decision to limit Jewish migration to Palestine.

The 1948 war pushed more than 750,000 Palestinian refugees into Lebanon, Syria, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Gaza came under Egyptian control, and the West Bank came under Jordanian control.

The 1967 war pushed more Palestinians, including 1948 refugees, into Jordan. Today, it has about two million Palestinians. Most have become Jordanian citizens, with only 167,000 remaining in refugee camps. That explains Jordan’s dilemma.

The relationship between the Jordanian and Palestinian Arabs has always been tenuous.

While the rest of the Arab world opposed the partition of Palestine, Jordan’s King Abdullah I favored it. In fact, King Abdullah had grand visions of a Greater Arabia to include Iraq, Palestine and Syria (where his brother Faisal had once served as king, but was ousted by the French). Faisal later became king of Iraq.

King Abdullah I was assassinated by a Palestinian when he visited the al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem in 1951.

The Jordanian-Palestinian populations live in a forced political detente in Jordan. Jordanian Arabs are deathly loyal to the monarchy. The vast majority will not rebel against King Abdullah II, fearing that the country will come under Palestinian control.

Jordan’s monarchs have also been more Western, and have allowed a greater sense of democracy to exist, even though the government is controlled by the king himself and ruled by a parliament subject to the king’s whims.

There have been some protests, but they are inhibited by this population balance. And Jordan’s king has the strongest Western backing of any Arab regime. True democracy will not come to a significant part of Jordan’s population, at least not before a Palestinian state is created, and with those Palestinians in Jordan given the choice to live there.

That’s why there are no pro-democracy protests in Jordan.

Al-Nakba in Jordan – Shame has a new name

2011-07-27T12:52:00.000+03:00

Tuesday, 17 May 2011

By Julie Webb for Scoop

Following Friday's peaceful event, over a thousand people on Sunday commemorated Al-Nakba by traveling from Amman to the Square of the Unknown Soldier, outside the town of Karameh, in the Jordan valley, several kilometers from the border with Israel.

Al-Nakba, or ‘catastrophe’, is the term describing the mass deportation of a million Palestinians from their cities and villages in 1948, including massacres of civilians, and the razing to the ground of hundreds of Palestinian villages, to establish the State of
Israel.

Not much has changed in the intervening years – except, perhaps, for the identity of the persecutors.

Sunday’s event at the Square of the Unknown Soldier, some eight kilometers from the King Hussein Bridge border crossing, was attended by hundreds of women and children, as well as young Palestinians who have never set foot in their own country.

But on Sunday it was not Israeli forces shooting them, beating them, throwing rocks at them, and trying to drive them away, it was Jordanians.

Jordanian police, Jordanian security forces, Jordanian gendarme, Jordanian hired thugs viciously attacking unarmed and peaceful Palestinians gathering to mark this significant day, in this significant location.

Karameh, where in 1968 Jordanian forces successfully fought alongside the Palestine Liberation Organization to repel the invading Israeli army. Karameh, whose name means "Dignity."

To what will surely be their eternal shame, Jordanian forces brutalized Palestinians for their dignified reminder to the world of their continued oppression by Israel.

The actions of the Jordanian security forces are incomprehensible - there was no attempt to cross the border - the crossing is some 8km away.

The accompanying photos show the Palestinian gathering, calm and peaceful, with young Palestinians joining hands in front of the police line to keep the families at a respectful distance. This video shows what I saw happening shortly afterwards, when three men walked down the road to leave, shortly after those photos were taken.

I had to hide the camera when we were surrounded by police and goons pursuing them, who ripped stakes out of the ground to use as weapons. Minutes later, more men armed with sticks and rocks attacked the crowd, aided and abetted by the uniformed thugs. This was but the first of several unprovoked, and completely unjustifiable, attacks with rocks, pieces of wood, teargas, and live fire over the next few hours on the unarmed Palestinians, the media, and a few foreigners there in support.

Scores were injured, with at least 19 requiring hospital treatment - one person shot in the stomach is now in a satisfactory condition.

The insult of Jordan’s unprovoked attacks on Palestinian dignity – and in the town of that name - and its apparent protecting of Israeli interests, will, like Al-Nakba itself, undoubtedly resonate throughout Jordan and beyond.

Shame, Jordan, SHAME.

Jordan King Approves Cabinet Reshuffle

2011-07-12T19:32:00.000+03:00

2011-07-03

King Abdullah II of Jordan on Saturday approved a cabinet reshuffle led by Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit, the state-run Petra news agency reported.

The reshuffle, the first since Bakhit took office in February this year, saw the entry of new eleven ministers, including ministers of interior, social development, state for media affairs and communications, health, culture, among others.

On Friday, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets demanding the sacking of Bakhit and his government.

Early February, King Abdullah II named Marouf Bakhit as the new prime minister, succeeding Prime Minister Samir Rifai.

Bakhit was born on 1947. In 1999, he retired from the army as a major general. He also served as the head of National Security and acting director of the king's office. He served as a prime minister from 2005 till 2007.

Jordanian protesters want PM jailed

2011-07-10T05:47:00.002+03:00

2011-06-30

Police clash with more than 100 demonstrators demanding downfall of government, parliament outside parliament.

AMMAN - Police on Thursday clashed briefly with Jordanian demonstrators outside parliament before dispersing an anti-corruption protest, which called for the "imprisonment" of the prime minister.

"The people want the imprisonment of (premier) Maaruf Bakhit. The people want to expel Bakhit," more than 100 people, mostly youths, chanted in central Amman.

"The nation is a red line. We demand the downfall of government and parliament as well as the corrupt in the state," read one of the banners they carried.

They were protesting a lower house decision this week not to impeach Bakhit for his alleged role in a suspected graft case about a multi-million-dollar deal that his government singed with a UK-based company to build a casino, between 2005 and 2007 when he first served as premier.

The lower house has cleared Bakhit despite a parliamentary committee report which has found Bakhit partially responsible.

"The police dispersed the demonstration because they did not want to hear what we say," former MP Ali Ali Abu Sukkar, who took part in the protest, said.

The protesters wanted to hurl rotten eggs at the parliament building and MPs, but later threw them in the streets.

"We came from all parts of Jordan to protest the casino case farce by the government and MPs. We want them all out," Hisham Hees of the southern city of Theiban said.

Three MPs have resigned in protest against the lower house decision, news reports have said.

The powerful opposition Islamist movement as well as other groups plan to hold similar demonstrations in Amman and other parts of Jordan on Friday.

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

Jordan cabinet reshuffled amid protests

2011-07-10T05:37:00.000+03:00

Sat Jul 2, 2011

The Jordanian Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit has reshuffled his cabinet in a bid to ease the ongoing anti-government demonstrations in the country seeking his resignation.

Eleven new ministers received a Royal Decree from King Abdullah II on Saturday, the state-run Petra news agency reported.

Bakhit's cabinet was formed in February 2011, and since then three lawmakers have resigned due to months long anti-government demonstrations.

King Abdullah II responded to the protesters' demand when he dismissed former Prime Minister Samir Rifai and replaced him with Bakhit in February.

The protesters, however, continued their demonstrations, calling for Bakhit to be replaced with a democratic government. The Jordanians want the premier ousted and the parliament dissolved.

"Reform is demanded by the public and a crucial passage for survival. The regime must meet such demands and start genuine reform measures, not only cosmetic measures. The government should stop referring to parliament legislation that is categorized as military laws in a democratic dress. The government of Bakhit has expired. We are badly in need of a national salvation government," Muslim Brotherhood leader Zai Bani said last week.

Moreover, there have been several violent clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters, who also are demanding an end to ties with Israel.

Jordan's Cabinet reshuffled amid PM scandal

2011-07-10T05:35:00.000+03:00

By JAMAL HALABY | AP
Jul 2, 2011

AMMAN, Jordan: Jordan’s King Abdullah II endorsed a Cabinet reshuffle on Saturday in the wake of scandals and resignations that have tainted the country’s prime minister and ignited calls for his resignation.

The move follows six months of street protests in Jordan — inspired by uprisings elsewhere in the Arab world — that have pressed for a wider public say in politics, the lowering of food prices and reduction of inflation rates.

The most significant official to go as part of the reshuffle was Interior Minister Saad Hayel Srour. He was replaced by Mazen Saket, seen as a moderate politician who may be more palatable to the public.

Srour was accused by the protesters of ordering the police to use excessive force to quell the demonstrations. He was also widely criticized for allowing businessman Khaled Shaheen — who was serving a three-year prison term for bribery and corruption — to leave Jordan.

Abdullah Abu Ruman, a newspaper columnist in charge of a government office that censors the media, was named information minister — a move signaling that the government will continue to control the press.

The reshuffle followed earlier resignations of three Cabinet members, two of whom stepped down in the wake of a public outcry over the Shaheen’s departure from the country. The third quit over differences with the prime minister over draft laws he said restrict media freedoms.

Separately, Prime Minister Marouf Al-Bakhit has been tied to another scandal, during his previous 2005-2007 tenure, when his Cabinet approved the country’s first casino in violation of Islamic law that bans gambling.

But a parliamentary committee investigating the affair has acquitted Al-Bakhit while implicating a former tourism minister who served in his government.

It was not immediately clear if the reshuffle will placate protesters who have been demanding that Al-Bakhit, who took office Feb. 9, step down.

A royal palace statement said Saturday’s reshuffle brought in nine new ministers and raised by two portfolios the overall number in Al-Bakhit’s Cabinet to 29 members.

Protesters urge Jordan PM ouster

2011-07-10T05:31:00.000+03:00

Fri Jul 1, 2011

Thousands of people have demonstrated across Jordan to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit and the dissolution of the lower house of parliament.

About 1,500 Jordanians took part in a demonstration outside Grand Husseini Mosque in central Amman after the Friday Prayers to express anger over the chamber's vote on Monday that cleared Bakhit of corruption charges in connection with a casino deal in 2007, DPA reported.

The protesters chanted “Down with Bakhit and his gambling government. A dishonest broker cannot protect the country."

“The casino government should go. No to the casino parliament,” read one of the banners carried by the demonstrators.

“This house should be dissolved because it provides a cover-up for corrupts," Murad Adayleh, a senior member of the Islamic Action Front (IAF), Jordan's main opposition party, said.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people demonstrated in Tafileh, situated 180 kilometers (111 miles) south of Amman, and called for the ouster of Bakhit's government.

Protest rallies were reported in the cities of Maan, Karak and Irbid, where participants demanded the “sacking of government and dissolution of parliament.”

On Monday, Jordan's lower house of parliament cleared Bakhit despite a parliamentary committee report which has found the premier's role in a suspected graft case about a multi-million-dollar deal that his government singed with a British-based company to build a casino in the Muslim state between 2005 and 2007.

At least three Jordanian lawmakers have resigned in protest to the parliament's decision.

Protesters in Jordan pelt parliament with eggs

2011-07-05T17:18:00.000+03:00

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Dozens of Jordanians have pelted the parliament with eggs, demanding the dismissal of the prime minister and all parliament members.

The Associated Press
AMMAN, Jordan —

Dozens of Jordanians have pelted the parliament with eggs, demanding the dismissal of the prime minister and all parliament members.

The police briefly scuffled with the egg-hurling protesters, after which the rally ended peacefully.

Protests inspired by Arab uprisings have spread to Jordan but on a lesser scale.

Thursday's protesters were angered that lawmakers this week cleared Prime Minister Marouf al-Bakhit of involvement in a casino scandal during his previous 2005-2007 term.

At the time, his Cabinet approved the country's first gambling house in violation of Islamic law.

The parliament implicated al-Bakhit's ex-tourism minister, but acquitted the premier. The protesters say al-Bakhit is also responsible. They plan more demonstrations for Friday.

Jordan's old guard thwart reform drive

2011-07-05T17:16:00.000+03:00

30/06/2011

By Suleiman al-Khalidi

(Reuters) - Under a Bedouin tent in the dusty desert city of Maan, Western-educated King Abdullah pledges $20 million (12.5 million pounds) to build a hospital nearby to cheers from tribal chiefs who form the ruling Hashemite family's power base.

Shouts of "Long live his Majesty," ring out at the ceremony, one of an increasing number of royal visits to tribal areas where demands for state jobs and services have been piled on a king, torn between the desires of traditional Jordanians and addressing calls for reform inspired by the Arab uprisings sweeping North Africa and the Middle East.

Abdullah, who has ruled since 1999, has opted for timid steps towards democracy in response to regional turmoil, constrained by a tribal power base which sees reforms as a threat to political privileges and economic benefits.

Palace insiders say that more than ever during his reign, the monarch has been frustrated by the efforts of an old guard -- entrenched in the state bureaucracy and intelligence apparatus -- to block reforms.

They say the old guard have stepped up demands for favors and patronage since the protests began this year, threatening the finances of Abdullah's resource-poor kingdom.

"Every time the king expresses pro-reform leanings they raise the ante and ask for unreasonable demands that only add to the already strained budget and aggravate the political scene. They put spikes in the wheel," said Jawad Anani, a former royal court chief and prominent economist.

Jordan witnessed weeks of protests earlier this year calling for an end to corruption and wider political freedoms. In recent weeks hundreds of youths have also taken to the streets in the country's tribal south demanding jobs and decrying what they term as inequality in favor of a more prosperous capital.

Critics dismiss the argument that the monarch is a reformist shackled by conservatives around him, seeing it as an excuse for a lack of progress towards greater democracy since Abdullah succeeded his late father, King Hussein, in 1999.

"Democracy has retreated to a degree that the regime, from the monarchy to the government to the security apparatus, treats Jordan as if it was a farm or a corporation they own to ensure the regime's longevity," said Musa al-Hadeed, a retired general in the Jordanian army and a leading advocate of a reduction in the executive powers of the monarchy.

OPPORTUNITY OF "ARAB SPRING"

Abdullah's supporters insist an old guard who effectively run the country through the security forces stand in the way of deeper reform, seeing sweeping changes in the Arab world and Jordan's moves towards a merit-driven economy as a threat to their decades-old grip on power.

Abdullah, in contrast to autocratic rulers elsewhere in the Arab world, has long complained about his frustration over the pace of reform and saw the Arab uprisings across the region as a chance to finally surmount resistance, palace insiders say.

"The Arab spring gave me, in a way, the opportunity that I've been looking for the past 11 years," he said in an interview with the Washington Post on June 16.

Earlier this month Abdullah said that he was committed to pushing ahead with democratic reforms, but a vague promise he would devolve some of his executive powers to parliament failed to address wider political demands from Islamists -- the country's largest political force -- and other groups.

In a country where the monarchy is a guarantor of stability among feuding tribes who seek his protection and acts as a balance between the country's majority Palestinian and East Bank native Jordanians, no one wants to topple the king.
Jordan has largely avoided much of the turmoil that has swept through the Arab world this year and saw nothing on the scale of protests in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen or neighboring Syria. The demands of street demonstrators were limited to calls for an end to absolutism and corruption.

Politicians say Abdullah's room for maneuver is limited and that the powerful mukhabarat (intelligence service) have even disregarded his calls to curb their involvement in politics.

They say security officials meddle in university appointments, harass and expel student activists, and play a role in revoking citizenship for Jordanians of Palestinian origin despite reprimands from the king.

QUEEN TARGETED

Even the monarch's immediate family has not been spared the attacks of some ex-military members of the old guard who have criticized his high profile Palestinian wife Queen Rania. Irked by her high international profile, advocacy of women's rights and image among westerners as the savvy face of Arab feminism, they say she is too vocal and interferes in politics.

"He is handcuffed and they have raised the ceiling of extortion to get more from him," said one former official.

More significantly, the old guard continue to play on the long-standing fears of their East Bank and tribal allies that rapid political change would allow the country's Palestinian majority to dominate Jordan's national identity.

They have been accused of being behind the counter-mobilization of loyalist demonstrations across the kingdom to overshadow small opposition rallies.

This has not only helped fragment popular pressure for reform in recent months and undermined the monarch's efforts to move faster, but also helped divert the reform discourse towards ethnic polarization, analysts and politicians say.

"Some agencies within the state have accentuated the fears of East Bankers and linked their demands for political reforms with losing their political gains," said Mohammad Abu Ruman, a researcher at Jordan's University Center for Strategic Studies.

But old guard figures argue the regime's stability depends on thwarting any calls to empower Palestinians in Jordan under the guise of a democratic agenda.

"There are suspicious demands for reforms coming from some people that will not serve the interests of the Jordanian people and we oppose it," said Nayef al-Qadi, a prominent conservative politician, tribal leader and former minister.

"Any reform that leads to the permanent settlement (of Palestinians) in Jordan would be a coup d'etat attempt that we will never allow," Qadi added. "Anything that allows Jordan to become a victim of resolving the Palestinian problem at Jordan's expense we would not accept."

The kingdom's powerful traditional political elite representing East Bank tribal groups have forced the monarch to lean more and more to their side.

Their biggest victory was to frustrate efforts for a more representative electoral law that was publicly backed by Abdullah as a key democratic reform
The law would have had to address the long-standing grievances of Jordanians of Palestinian origin, including their under-representation and discrimination by the state.

A proposed new electoral law charted by a government-appointed panel will ensure the East Bank power structure and status quo remains unchallenged.

The state already extracts more taxes from Jordanians of Palestinian origin, who remain pillars of the business community but feel increasingly abandoned by the state.

In contrast native Jordanians who depend on state jobs and are the backbone of the security forces and state bureaucracy have become the focus of government's largesse.

A cabinet headed by conservative ex-security chief Marouf al-Bahkhit has raised civil servant salaries and created more jobs in an already bloated civil service that eats into the country's $8.98 billion budget, threatening to sink Jordan into greater debt.

Some analysts say this will further polarize the country, as a government that is seen as serving East Bankers further alienates the country's large population of Palestinian origin.

So far pliant and shunning politics, their continued exclusion from any future discourse on Jordan's future bodes ill for the country's long term stability, they say.

Jordan, US to perform joint military drill

2011-07-03T15:06:00.000+03:00

2011-06-25

AMMONNEWS- Units and formations from the Jordan Armed Forces will conduct this month a joint military drill with the US side, the Jordan Armed Forces Moral Guidance Directorate said.

The drill will be attended by units from the land, maritime and air forces in line with Royal directives to upgrade capabilities of the armed forces and within the annual training plan of the armed forces.

Activities of the drill will also include seminar and courses in a number of fields.

Invitations were extended to 20 Arab and foreign countries to attend part of the drill as observers.

UNESCO endorses Jordan-Arab proposal over Jerusalem's Bab Al Magharbeh

2011-07-02T14:55:00.000+03:00

AMMAN (JT) - UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee on Monday voted in favor of a Jordanian and Arab decision on the city of Jerusalem and Bab Al Magharbeh.

The decision was made during the 35th session of UNESCO’s executive board, which was held yesterday in Paris with the participation of a Jordanian delegation, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

In yesterday’s decision, UNESCO voiced its “deep” concern over Israel’s continued excavations at the old Jerusalem’s gate and the area surrounding it, in addition to Israel’s failure to provide the World Heritage Center with information on these excavation works, according to Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mohammad Kayed.

Under the decision, UNESCO also called on Israel to stop its works in the Old City immediately and requested that the World Heritage Center detail in its periodic reports to the World Heritage Committee all obstacles placed by the Israeli side and its justifications for not providing the center with the required information in this regard.

Bab Al Magharbeh, or Moroccans Gate, was listed, as part of East Jerusalem, upon a Jordanian request on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in 1981 and the list of endangered world heritage sites in 1982.

Kayed said the unified stance by participating Arab states in yesterday’s session facilitated adopting the Arab proposal, noting that the Jordanian delegates have cooperated with their Arab counterparts tand other peers to reach an accepted formula for the decision, according to Petra.

He voiced regrets over the failure of reaching an agreement with some concerned parties due to the Israeli “intransigence” on some of the articles included in the decision regarding its unilateral measures on the land, which led the committee to adopt the resolution by voting instead of making the decision unanimously.

The spokesperson noted that the Arab decision has succeeded in extending UNESCO’s monitoring mechanisms to include all Jerusalem after it was limited to Bab Al Magharbeh, which leads to Al Aqsa Mosque.

Kayed said the decision was worded with a “a new level of rhetoric” in tackling the Bab Al Magharbeh issue in a way that addresses some of the major Jordanian concerns, noting that UNESCO also expressed its regrets for Israel’s plans to excavate the gate and build a bridge next to it before the committee’s meetings.

In May, the Israeli occupation’s municipal authorities in Jerusalem started with advanced steps to demolish the upper bridge that connects Bab Al Magharba, the gate that leads to Al Aqsa Mosque.

Jordan has rejected the move and came up with alternative plans that entail the renovation of the old bridge. UNESCO accepted the Jordanian blueprints.

Furthermore, the agency renewed yesterday its support for Jordan’s plan to renovate the bridge and thanked the Kingdom for its cooperation to safeguard the site as part of its role in safeguarding Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, where the Kingdom has jurisdiction.

Kayed said the Jordanian decision entails expanding its authority to monitor the gate and demands Israel to stop its archaeological excavations in Bab Al Magharbeh bridge, Petra reported.

28 June 2011

Family sit-in for 15th day at Royal Court

2011-06-25T11:05:00.000+03:00

2011-06-19

AMMONNEWS - A family consisting of 5 members have been on a sit-in in front of the Royal Hashemite Court in Amman for 15 consecutive days.

The family was spotted protesting in front of the Royal Court during the retired military veterans' protest earlier on Sunday.

Asked of the reason for their sit-in, the father said that the family submitted a petition to the Royal Hashemite Court and are staging a sit-in until they hear a response.

"Gotcha" asked the family for further information on their cause, but the father preferred not to disclose further information, saying "We want a direct response from the Royal Court to meet His Majesty King Abdullah because no one would listen to our cause other than him."

Differences over Syria unrest deepen 'crisis' of Jordan's political elite

2011-06-25T11:01:00.000+03:00

By Thameen Kheetan

AMMAN - Divisions have surfaced among Jordan’s elite over the ongoing unrest in the northern neighbor Syria.

Many writers, academicians and activists have engaged in a series of tit-for-tat statements, reflecting conflicting positions on street demonstrations in Syria, which President Bashar Assad described as part of a foreign “conspiracy”.

Several Jordanian figures and groups have denounced the northern neighbor's Baath regime for “crimes and oppression” against civilians who demonstrate calling for democracy and freedoms.

Others, however, voice fears that such a conflict in an Arab country that has backed Palestinian and Lebanese resistance movements against Israel would affect the region’s balance of power in favor of Tel Aviv.

A group of 72 writers published a statement on news websites criticizing what they described as the “silence of the administrative commission” of the Jordanian Writers Association (JWA) over the news from Syria, where over 1,200 people are reported to have been killed by security forces since the eruption of protests some three months ago.

The association, for its part, voiced “surprise” over the resignation of three of its leading members, insisting that it stands against the “oppression and cruelty that is being practiced against the Arab people in Syria, Yemen, Bahrain and Libya”.

For JWA President Soud Qbeilat, “Jordanians follow what is happening in Syria with concern,” because, he said, Syria has openly adopted anti-Israeli positions and any threat to this country will automatically tilt the balance in Israel’s favor.

“People are with democratic change in the Arab world, but when it comes to the Syrian issue, we are talking about the fight against Israel,” he explained, charging that the US and its allies in the region are taking advantage of the unrest to pressure Damascus “to bow to Israeli interests”.

He said some of those who criticize the JWA have “suspicious” positions and relations with the West.

“If the Syrian regime goes, the alternative is the unknown,” noted Qbeilat.

But for the other camp, a natural alternative is one that guarantees public freedoms, maintaining, at the same time, the will of people in resisting the “Israeli threat”.

Division, no division

“There is a clear division,” remarked renowned cartoonist Imad Hajjaj, who has drawn several caricatures denouncing Assad and supporters of his regime.

One of his drawings earlier this month in Al Ghad daily depicted a group of people representing the “role of intellectuals” lining up to shake hands with a blood-handed dictator.

“I am very much frustrated by the role of some intellectuals… who have attempted to polish the image of the [Syrian] regime and cover up for its crimes using unacceptable excuses,” Hajjaj told The Jordan Times.

But a researcher at the University of Jordan’s Center for Strategic Studies, Mohammad Abu Rumman, who has also taken the side of Syria’s popular uprising, does not see “any substantial division” inside the local elite circles on Syria.

“Only a handful of writers say they are with the Syrian people but against the ‘conspiracy’… What conspiracy is bigger than suppressing the people?” Abu Rumman asked.

The analyst, who is also a leading columnist at Al Ghad, was one of several figures who launched a campaign to boycott a dinner last month hosted by Syrian Ambassador in Amman Bahjat Suleiman to explain his country’s stance regarding the unrest.

“What is alarming is not their position on Syria, but their position on democracy in general,” Abu Rumman said, adding that “it is unacceptable that you call for democracy here but stand against it there”.

The writer said Damascus’ stance in support of the resistance in the Palestinian territories and Lebanon was “good”, but warned that the Syrian regime “will not be able to succeed in the battle with Israel when it continues to crackdown on its people”.

“This limited group of people have failed the test of democracy,” noted Abu Rumman.

Young activist Firas Mahadin, who is a member of the March 24 Youth Coalition that calls for political reforms and more freedoms in Jordan, insisted that speaking in favor of Syria is a matter of opinion that should be respected.

The self-proclaimed nationalist filmmaker explained: “It is a matter of different points of view, but some groups just do not accept the others’ opinion.”

Stressing that he, too, calls for democracy in Syria, Mahadin alleged that what is currently happening is a “sectarian-based” movement that aims to “dismantle the state in Syria in a way that serves Israel”.

Media professor at Al Hussein Ben Talal University in Maan, Bassem Tweisi argues that the Jordanian elite is treating the Arab Spring on the basis of their different ideologies.

“This explains the double standards in certain cases.”

“The Kingdom’s political elite is incapable of formulating a democratic and political discourse to replace the existing ideological one,” he remarked, adding that this “will further deepen the elite’s crisis”.

21 June 2011

Odwan's resignation sparks political crisis - observers

2011-06-25T10:59:00.000+03:00

Odwan's resignation sparks political crisis - observers

By Taylor Luck

AMMAN - When Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications Taher Odwan announced his resignation on Tuesday, the surprise move signaled a deepening political crisis, according to observers.

Odwan, who resigned in protest over a package of legislation referred by the Cabinet to the Lower House, dealt a blow to a government already reeling from alleged corruption cases and the recent resignation of two ministers.

In his letter of resignation, Odwan criticized the proposed legislation, namely amendments to the Press and Publications Law, Anti-Corruption Commission Law and the Penal Code as undermining reform efforts and contradicting the media strategy completed one day earlier.

Denouncing the package of laws on the eve of the opening of the extraordinary session of Parliament, Odwan’s announcement signals rough days ahead for Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit, says Fahed Kheitan, Arab Al Yawm chief editor and political analyst.

“This is a blow to an already weak government in the midst of a deep political crisis,” Kheitan said.

Odwan’s resignation represents much more than the loss of the face for the government, said Nawaf Tal, director of the University of Jordan’s Center for Strategic Studies.

According to Tal, Odwan was a key member of Bakhit’s inner circle, along with Minister of Agriculture Samir Habashneh, and a respected reformist in a largely conservative Cabinet.

Losing a liberal figure who influenced the decision-making process leaves Bakhit without a key ally at a time when several key pieces of legislation are to go before Parliament and pro-reform demonstrations are heating up.

“With one member of the inner circle out, it means that this government is a sinking ship,” Tal said.

The way in which Odwan ended his tenure as minister speaks volumes about the way in which the Cabinet works, and calls into question its ability to follow through on reform pledges, according Oraib Rantawi of Al Quds Center for Political Studies.

“This is not just a resignation, it’s a scandal,” Rantawi said.

“If this Cabinet cannot build a consensus among its members, how can we trust it to reach a national consensus on reform?” he asked.

The departure of the minister has also intensified the focus on the brewing political crisis over the release of convicted tycoon Khaled Shahin to receive medical treatment abroad, a potent symbol of corruption in the public mind, which has already led to the resignation of the ministers of health and justice.

“Bakhit has lost the public trust and this latest resignation has killed all chances of him gaining it back,” said columnist Hassan Barari.

Parliament showdown

The impact of the veteran journalist’s departure will be felt far beyond Amman’s 4th Circle area, where the Prime Ministry is located, according to observers.

The government’s future may hinge on the way Odwan’s resignation plays out in the extraordinary session of Parliament, which is quickly becoming the frontline in a battle of wills between the two authorities, observers said.

Beleaguered by the casino case, dogged by conflicting statements on the Shahin controversy and down three ministers, the prime minister is expected to receive less than a warm welcome from deputies.

The timing of Odwan’s resignation and his denunciation of the package of legislation presented before lawmakers left Bakhit further weakened before an emboldened Lower House fighting to regain its credibility in the eyes of the public, according to analysts.

“This is a minister resigning; you can’t defend these laws in front of Parliament,” Kheitan said.

With potential parliamentary elections on the horizon, deputies are likely to use Odwan’s resignation as ammunition in an effort to prove themselves as a check on the executive authority, according to Barari.

“Bakhit is going to suffer from parliamentarians who will take advantage of the situation to prove that he is not up to the job,” Barari said.

Jamil Nimri, Irbid MP and president of the House’s National Guidance Committee, said that without Odwan, a popular and respected figure among lawmakers, the premier will have a tough time before the Lower House.

“The government really surprised us with this package of laws and it seems that they surprised themselves,” Nimri said.

According to Nimri, the concerns raised in Odwan’s letter of resignation regarding the proposed legislation’s impact on media freedoms will “definitely” influence deputies’ votes.

“The government is in a tough spot and it is going to have a lot to answer for,” Nimri added.

Reshuffle in the cards?

Pundits agreed that with the government spokesman’s resignation, it is a matter of when, not if, Jordan will soon see a new government.

Kheitan believes Odwan’s departure opens the door to further resignations, and perhaps even a mass walkout.

“There are some ministers who haven’t agreed with all the Cabinet’s decisions who may take the opportunity to leave,” he said.

With the National Dialogue Committee’s reform recommendations set, the constitutional review panel’s work is about to be completed and the extraordinary session of Parliament opened, a Cabinet reshuffle is more likely in the cards, according to Barari.

“A reshuffle is a necessity in order to restore public trust in the political process. But the question is: What type of government will we get?” Rantawi said.

With speculation abound over Bakhit government’s expiry date - with forecasts ranging from days to weeks, analysts agreed that whoever occupies the Prime Ministry in the next few months will likely face an uphill battle.

“The next government, irrespective of who the prime minister is, is going to have a very rough time getting their agenda across,” Tal said.

23 June 2011

Jordan information minister quits over 'restrictive' laws

2011-06-22T07:09:00.002+03:00

21/06/2011

AMMAN (AFP) -- Jordan's Information Minister Taher Adwan said on Tuesday he has resigned because of laws he deemed "restrictive for freedom of expression."

"I submitted my resignation today to Prime Minister Maaruf Bakhit in protest at a government decision" to debate new press and publication laws in parliament that he opposed, Adwan told AFP.

"In addition, MPs will debate proposed anti-corruption and penal laws. I consider these laws restrictive for freedom of expression."

King Abdullah II on Monday ordered parliament to convene in an extraordinary session from Wednesday to discuss a series of temporary laws.

Describing the proposed legislation as a "blow to the reform drive" and "martial laws," Adwan, who joined the government in February, condemned "the repeated attacks on journalists who are doing their professional duties."

"Such attacks completely contradict political reform efforts, which cannot be achieved without a democratic climate of press freedom," Adwan said in a statement to AFP.

Adwan has condemned an attack on AFP in which 10 men broke into its Amman offices on Wednesday and destroyed furniture and equipment, after the news agency was among several foreign media to report that part of the king's motorcade had been stoned during a visit to a southern city.

The reports were vigorously denied by the palace, government officials and MPs from the city.

"Violence against journalists and their offices cannot be justified, under the pretext of loyalty and nationalism," said Adwan, a veteran journalist who was the editor of Al-Arab Al-Yawm independent daily.

"There is leniency towards attacks on the media that are being exploited to create chaos in the country, which could lead it to the same swamps in which some regional regimes have drowned."