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Clashes between protesters, police during Jordan king's visit

Arab World Materials 13 June 2011 18:01 (UTC +04:00)
Pro-democracy protesters clashed with police Monday during King Abdullah II's visit to the southern Jordanian city of Tafileh, 180 kilometres south of Amman, according to media reports.
Clashes between protesters, police during Jordan king's visit

Pro-democracy protesters clashed with police Monday during King Abdullah II's visit to the southern Jordanian city of Tafileh, 180 kilometres south of Amman, according to media reports.

Some of the activists hurled stones at policemen, the report said, DPA reported.

The protesters, who are affiliated with the Popular Mobility group, said they resorted to violence because their representatives were barred from meeting the monarch, to discuss their demands related to political and economic reforms.

The group later issued a statement saying it was determined to go ahead with its protests calling for political reform, including the formation of a new national reformist government.

Abdullah on Sunday assured citizens of his intention to introduce reforms based on compromise draft laws for elections and political parties that have been worked out over the last few months by the National Dialogue Committee.

He warned that political reform "will not be monopolized by any group or be subject to any conditions by any party, but rather will be based on compromise."

Abdullah has been under pressure from some opposition groups to make Jordan into a constitutional monarchy, whereby he gives up some of his powers, including the appointment of prime ministers and ministers.

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