Thousands of opposition supporters rally in Jordan, demand political freedoms, economic change

Google/ AP, By The Associated Press (CP), Jan 28, 2011

AMMAN, Jordan — Thousands of Jordanian opposition supporters have taken the streets in the country's capital demanding the prime minister step down and venting their anger at rising prices, inflation and unemployment.

About 3,500 opposition activists from the main Islamist opposition group, trade unions and leftist organizations have gathered in Amman.

The crowd is denouncing Prime Minister Samir Rifai's unpopular policies. Many are shouting: "Rifai go away, prices are on fire and so are the Jordanians."

Another 2,000 protesters in cities of Irbid and Karak have made similar calls.

It was the third consecutive Friday of protests in Jordan inspired by Tunisia and Egypt's unrest that has demanding the governments' downfall.

King Abdullah II has promised some reforms.

Related Article:

Arab world unrest has Jordan's king under pressure