Tuesday, March 15, 2011

AMMAN: Jordan’s government has ordered police protection for the chief of the powerful Islamic Action Front, the main opposition party, following death threats, an official said Monday.

Spokesman Abdul-Hamid Qudah said that IAF’s leader Hamza Mansour was threatened by unidentified youths over the weekend who called for his “departure.”
No attack took place.

Prime Minister Maaruf Bakhit ordered protection for Mansour Sunday after the Islamist leader’s family made complaints to police that they received death threats against him, the official said.
Mansour is currently in Egypt, but two police cars are protecting his house in the Sahab area, south of Amman.
The IAF is the political arm of Jordan’s Muslim Brotherhood.

It is the country’s largest opposition party and has been the most vocal in recent pro-reform protests.
“We appreciate what the government is doing, but we demand it reveal the identity of those behind the threats and bring them to justice,” the brotherhood said in a statement.
“Such threats and bullying will not prevent us from continuing our demands for reforms.”

Qudah said that police are now monitoring Mansour’s home in Amman and interrogating suspects. Officials were not immediately available for comment.
Inspired by the revolts in Tunisia and Egypt, Jordanians have been demonstrating for nine weeks demanding general reforms.

Tensions between the government and Islamists escalated Friday after the latter refused to participate in a national dialogue commission, after claiming that the regime is not serious about reform.

Thousands of people rallied in support of King Abdullah I Saturday, chanting “the people want to bring down political parties” and “the IAF does not represent Jordanian people.”

The IAF has been calling for sweeping reforms, including an amended electoral law, leading to a parliamentary government and a prime minister that is elected by the people instead of being appointed by King Abdullah.
In another development, government doctors suspended a wage-linked strike they began Sunday after their union and Bakhit reached an agreement, an official said.

“Around 4,000 Health Ministry doctors suspended the strike they started [Sunday] after we met with the prime minister and agreed on a proposal to raise their salaries,” said Ahmad Armuti, head of Jordan’s medical association.
“The council of ministers will discuss the proposal Saturday.”
Bakhit told the members of medical association that “the government is keen to create a suitable work environment for doctors,” the state-run Petra news agency reported.

Armuti said Sunday the strike affected 430 health centers and clinics as well as 30 hospitals in the country, adding that it did not include emergency cases.
“The strike seeks improved conditions and salaries for Health Ministry doctors, who take $500-$635 a month, which is a tragedy under the current circumstances,” he said. – AFP, AP