Friday, March 25, 2011

Young protesters calling for democratic reforms in Jordan

Amman - Hundreds of young people demonstrated today in the Jordanian capital, Amman, to demand political reforms and an end to corruption. The protestors carried placards demanding the dissolution of the lower house of Parliament and constitutional amendments. The organizers, a group called "Youth on 24 March," said they were not politically affiliated and planned to stay close to Gamal Abdel Nasser Square, in Amman, until their demands are met.

The protests took place despite Wednesday's rebuke of King Abdullah II to Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit to delay political reforms announced. Bakhit has created a national dialogue committee comprising 53 members in an attempt to reshape the electoral law and political parties. However, the Muslim Brotherhood movement and its political wing, the Islamic Action Front have refused to attend meetings about what they consider a failure by Bakhit when agenda includes amendments to the Constitution Jordan.

Islamists and other opposition figures say they want reforms that will make a transition to a constitutional monarchy, limiting the king's powers, particularly with regard to their powers to appoint members of the government.

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