By Agence France Presse (AFP)
Thursday, February 24, 2011

Jordan’s Cabinet has approved laws making it easier to organize protests and will revive a government body that works to ensure basic commodities remain affordable to the poor.
A government official said the reforms had been passed late Tuesday.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the government official said organizers would need only to inform authorities 48 hours in advance of protests so public protection is assured.

Reforms came hours after the country’s largest opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood, vowed to resume demonstrations pushing for change.
Jordan’s powerful Islamist opposition said it plans to stage a “day of anger” demonstration with other parties Friday to demand reforms, in what they hope will be the largest protest since January.

“Around 10,000 members of the Islamist movement as well as supporters of 19 political parties will take part in the march to call for reforms,” Zaki Bani Rsheid of the Islamic Action Front executive committee said Wednesday.
“Demonstrations will also take place in other governorates,” said Bani Rsheid, whose party is the political arm of the country’s Muslim Brotherhood.

“We have given the government time to translate its reform plan into action, but we felt its lax attitude to taking practical steps and that it is stalling for time,” he said.
The Islamists have limited their participation in protests in recent weeks after starting a dialogue with the government and following King Abdullah II’s reform pledges.

“Despite the promises, we have not been contacted to become part of a dialogue concerning any amendments to the electoral law, which is the cornerstone of reform,” said Bani Rsheid.

The IAF boycotted the last general election in November in protest against constituency boundaries set up under a new electoral law, which it said over-represented rural areas considered loyal to the government.
The Islamists and other parties said Friday’s demonstration “also seeks to denounce violence,” in which eight people were hurt last week when a mob wielding batons waded into a pro-reform march in Amman.

“Our protest will be a response to the thugs who attacked the protesters and to pressure the government to implement promised reforms,” Bani Rsheid said, adding the identity of the attackers was still unknown to the party. “If the government or its supporters commit acts similar to last Friday’s, we will demand the downfall of the government.”

Supporters of leftist parties said that they plan to spend the night Thursday outside Al-Husseini Mosque, in the city center where they were attacked last Friday.
The government has condemned the violence, and Justice Minister Hussein Mujalli said Sunday a probe into the incident was under way.

Demonstrations erupted in Jordan in January to protest against rising cost of living and demand economic and political reforms.
The king sacked the Cabinet of Samir Rifai on Feb. 1 and named Maaruf Bakhit to head a Cabinet tasked with introducing general reforms. – AP, AFP