The Jordanian security authorities arrested more than 50 Islamic hardliners, known as Salafis, against the backdrop of Friday's clashes in the city of Zarqa in which about 90 people, including 83 policemen, were injured, security sources said Saturday.
Public Security chief General Hussein Majali accused Salafi groups of launching a "premeditated attack" on policemen who were providing protection for a rally at a mosque in Zarqa, 30 kilometres east of Amman, DPA reported.
But Salafi activists denied the official version and accused policemen of teaming up with government loyalists to attack participants in the rally that ended peacefully.
Among the detained leaders of the Salafi movement were Abu Mohammad Tahawi, who appeared on the Doha-based Al-Jazeera television Friday night to deny the government charges.
Also arrested Friday night was Saad Hunaiti, a prominent Salafi leader whose wife said that security personnel stormed their home to arrest him and two of his brothers.
During a press conference Friday night, Majali vowed to use an "iron fist" in dealing with hard-line protesters.