By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Hundreds of Jordanians took to the streets of their capital Thursday, shouting "Burn in hell, Abu-Musab al-Zarqawi."
"We sacrifice our lives for you Amman," chanted the protesters, who gathered near one of three hotels that were hit by suicide bombings Wednesday in attacks claimed by the Jordanian-born al-Zarqawi's al-Qaida in Iraq group.
"Death to al-Zarqawi, the villain and the traitor," shouted the angry crowd - Jordanians of all backgrounds, including women and children.
Drivers of vehicles decorated with the colorful Jordanian flags and posters of Jordan'sKing Abdullah II honked their horns. A helicopter hovered overhead.
Other rallies were held in the Red Sea port of Aqaba, in al-Zarqawi's hometown of Zarqa and the southern city of Maan which is known to be a hub for Muslim fundamentalists.
The Amman protest was organized by Jordan's 14 professional and trade unions - made up of both hard-line Islamic groups and leftist political organizations.
"We're here to demonstrate our support of our government and express our love to our country and condemn in the strongest terms the heinous crime committed against Jordan by a group of terrorists," said Abdul-Fatah Kilani, president of the veterinary union.