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| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| King Abdullah of Jordan is trying to appease the street |
| 2011-01-24 |
| [Ennahar] Jordan's King seeks to placate the street after weeks of popular discontent against inflation and unemployment, the Islamist opposition attempts to exploit for political purposes by calling for a reduction of royal prerogatives. Abdullah II began a series of consultations with former leaders, activists, trade unionists and Islamists, "to listen to the grievances of Jordanians and be in tune with the street," said Sunday to the AFP a member his entourage. Consultations between the king and various political trends in his country "to get closer to people's demands," come after a series of protests in recent weeks, while a new mobilization is planned for Friday. The movement started spontaneously two weeks ago when the Jordanians, without political affiliations, wanted to express a ras-le-bol against rising prices and their daily difficulties. The opposition, including the powerful Islamic Action Front (IAF), supported by trade unions and leftist parties, took over the protest, organizing demonstrations and sit-in demanding the resignation of the government. "The king is no fool. He knows that by requesting the resignation of Prime Minister the people denies actually his management of the country, since he appoints and dismisses the prime minister," said to the AFP a former minister who requested anonymity. "For the first time, the tribes, the backbone of the regime, opposition and social circles are on the same wavelength, and want change," he added. |
| Posted by:Fred |