Security forces break up demonstration in Jordan, 1 dead
State security attempts to separate pro-reform, pro-monarchy protesters in Amman square; demonstrators attacked with rocks, stones; 50 injured.
By REUTERS, JPOST.COM STAFFInjured protester escorted by Jordanian security 311 (R)(photo credit: REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed )
AMMAN - One bystander was killed when Jordanian security forces used batons and sprayed water to disperse a clash between pro-monarchy demonstrators who hurled stones at protesters calling for political reform, a witness said.Amer Khairy Saad told Reuters his father, Khairy, 57, died in hospital after police beat him as they were trying to disperse the opposing crowds who had gathered near the Interior Ministry in the Jordanian capital.RELATED:'Syrian security forces fire on protesters: 23 dead'8 injured during anti-gov't clashes in JordanIslamist, leftist, liberal and tribal figures have staged protests and sit-ins over the past few weeks calling for a constitutional monarchy. But the demonstrations have been on a much smaller scale than elsewhere across the Arab world.Security forces earlier in the day erected a barrier in the Gamal Abdul Nasser roundabout near the ministry to keep the two sides separate, and beat back those who tried to breach it. They later used water hoses to try and disperse the protesters."The [pro-monarchy] thugs were throwing stones from one side and police were attacking protesters with sticks to push them back," protester Mahmoud Hamawi told Reuters.A member of the medical team with the pro-reform protesters, some of whom camped out in the roundabout on Thursday night, said more than 50 people had been injured, some seriously.They chanted on Friday against the interference of intelligence agents in political activities and called out against the head of intelligence, Mohammed Raqqad.They also chanted "Peaceful, peaceful" and "We love Jordan".Click for full Jpost coverage of turmoil in the Middle East"The people want to bring down political parties," chanted the pro-monarchy crowd, which also raised pictures of Jordanian King Abdullah.Jordanian Prime Minister Marouf al-Bakhit's cabinet earlier this month announced the creation of the national dialogue committee in response to a call by King Abdullah to accelerate reforms.Jordan's Islamist opposition said it would not join the panel because it would not be discussing constitutional changes to curb the monarch's powers.
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