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| Jordan opposition seeks to capitalise on anger over fuel price rises | Jordan opposition seeks to capitalise on anger over fuel price rises |
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| Jordan's Islamist-led opposition looked to harness growing anger with the government, vowing to keep up a wave of demonstrations this week that have rattled the US-allied kingdom. | Jordan's Islamist-led opposition looked to harness growing anger with the government, vowing to keep up a wave of demonstrations this week that have rattled the US-allied kingdom. |
| The protests, which began on Tuesday after the government raised fuel and gas prices, are the largest and most sustained in Jordan since the start of the Arab spring almost two years ago. Gunmen, taking advantage of chaos caused by the protests, attacked two police stations on Wednesday night, officials said. One of assailant was killed and 17 people were wounded, including 13 officers. | The protests, which began on Tuesday after the government raised fuel and gas prices, are the largest and most sustained in Jordan since the start of the Arab spring almost two years ago. Gunmen, taking advantage of chaos caused by the protests, attacked two police stations on Wednesday night, officials said. One of assailant was killed and 17 people were wounded, including 13 officers. |
| While there were no protests on Thursday, which was a national holiday to observe the Islamic New Year, the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood movement spearheading the opposition to the price rises – and the ruling system in Jordan in general – said demonstrations would continue until the government reversed its decision. | While there were no protests on Thursday, which was a national holiday to observe the Islamic New Year, the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood movement spearheading the opposition to the price rises – and the ruling system in Jordan in general – said demonstrations would continue until the government reversed its decision. |
| "While we understand the reasons behind the price hike, we insist it's a temporary, but not a fundamental solution," said Jamil Abu-Bakr. | "While we understand the reasons behind the price hike, we insist it's a temporary, but not a fundamental solution," said Jamil Abu-Bakr. |
| The alternative, he added, is a crackdown on corruption and a stronger parliament to monitor the government's activities. He said a demonstration is scheduled for Friday in the capital, Amman. | The alternative, he added, is a crackdown on corruption and a stronger parliament to monitor the government's activities. He said a demonstration is scheduled for Friday in the capital, Amman. |
| The opposition – which also includes Arab nationalist, communists and the largely secular Hirak movement of mostly young Jordanians – has seized on public anger over the 54% price rise in cooking and heating gas in a bid to woo more of the population into its camp. | The opposition – which also includes Arab nationalist, communists and the largely secular Hirak movement of mostly young Jordanians – has seized on public anger over the 54% price rise in cooking and heating gas in a bid to woo more of the population into its camp. |
| The government has defended the price hikes, saying they are necessary to reduce a massive budget deficit, part of Jordan's efforts to secure a badly needed $2bn (£1.3bn) loan from the International Monetary Fund. | The government has defended the price hikes, saying they are necessary to reduce a massive budget deficit, part of Jordan's efforts to secure a badly needed $2bn (£1.3bn) loan from the International Monetary Fund. |
| Jordan has been hit by frequent, but small, anti-government protests over the past 23 months, but the latest demonstrations have shifted the focus from the government to the king. So far, King Abdullah has maintained control, partly by relinquishing some of his powers to parliament and amending several laws guaranteeing wider public freedoms. | Jordan has been hit by frequent, but small, anti-government protests over the past 23 months, but the latest demonstrations have shifted the focus from the government to the king. So far, King Abdullah has maintained control, partly by relinquishing some of his powers to parliament and amending several laws guaranteeing wider public freedoms. |
| But his opponents say the reforms are considered by protesters to be insufficient, and the violence on Tuesday and Wednesday suggest many in Jordan are growing frustrated with the government's inability to address a host of problems, including unemployment, rising poverty and inflation. | But his opponents say the reforms are considered by protesters to be insufficient, and the violence on Tuesday and Wednesday suggest many in Jordan are growing frustrated with the government's inability to address a host of problems, including unemployment, rising poverty and inflation. |
| The government was in contact on Thursday with the Brotherhood and other activists to avoid instability, an official said on condition of anonymity. | The government was in contact on Thursday with the Brotherhood and other activists to avoid instability, an official said on condition of anonymity. |
| But the Brotherhood's political wing said in a statement that three party leaders, including its secretary general, Hamza Mansour, met with and Jordan's deputy prime minister on Wednesday night to discuss the fuel price decision, but that "no agreement was reached on calming the anger in the street". | But the Brotherhood's political wing said in a statement that three party leaders, including its secretary general, Hamza Mansour, met with and Jordan's deputy prime minister on Wednesday night to discuss the fuel price decision, but that "no agreement was reached on calming the anger in the street". |
| Jordanian government officials have accused the Brotherhood of inciting the unrest ahead of parliamentary elections in January. The Islamist group is boycotting the polls over disagreement with the government on an election law that the former says favours pro-king loyalists. | Jordanian government officials have accused the Brotherhood of inciting the unrest ahead of parliamentary elections in January. The Islamist group is boycotting the polls over disagreement with the government on an election law that the former says favours pro-king loyalists. |
| On Thursday, youth activists expressed concern about the violent turn the protest had taken, and called for a return to non-violent demonstrations. | On Thursday, youth activists expressed concern about the violent turn the protest had taken, and called for a return to non-violent demonstrations. |
| Waseem Haddad, a 23-year-old member of the Hirak movement, said the street violence "is damaging our peaceful campaign in the past 23 months for real reforms, greater public liberties, justice and equality and better opportunities for the youth". | Waseem Haddad, a 23-year-old member of the Hirak movement, said the street violence "is damaging our peaceful campaign in the past 23 months for real reforms, greater public liberties, justice and equality and better opportunities for the youth". |
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