Thousands protest, demand reform in Amman

Tens of thousands of protesters from Islamist movements and leftist parties demonstrated in Amman on Friday demanding more reforms as Jordanian security forces cordoned the area to prevent clashes with regime loyalists. Nearly 50,000 marched in the business district of the capital, walking from various locations before meeting near King Hussein mosque. They were carrying placards calling for democratic reforms. Some of the placards raised by protesters included: "We want a homeland not a farm, seven conditions for reform including, democratic elections law, constitutional amendments, elected parliamentary government, authority segregation, forming a constitutional court, fighting corruption and ending security meddling in country affairs. More than 2,000 policemen including anti-riot police surrounded the area leading to the protest. Police sources said they arrested a number of people in position of weapons and sticks before they reached the protest area. They said the group is believed to be affiliated with businessmen loyal to the regime. Leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood laid down conditions of taking part in upcoming parliament elections including an end to the one-man-one-vote law and constitutional changes that allow for a parliament majority to form governments. "We are no longer accepting half solutions. The regime must realize it has to implement real reform," Zaki Bani Rsheid, deputy president of the Muslim Brotherhood movement, told ANSA as he marched among other Islamist leaders. The protest came a few hours after the king dissolved the parliament and called for early elections under a controversial law that was rejected by the opposition. Protesters called for modern elections law that allow public participation in decision-making and ends the king's monopoly over power, according to protesters. "We want real reforms, not speeches that lead to nowhere," said Jamal Abelh Hadi, a leading leftist protester as he walked among chanting protesters. The protest was the largest held in the kingdom since demonstrations broke out more than year ago. The government said it was going ahead with reform plans through implementing amended elections laws that granted political parties more representation in the parliament. It said the new parliament will be allowed to form governments, although it was not clear what powers the government would have and how many cabinet members it will be able to name.