Tuesday, March 22, 2011
AMMAN: Jordan’s Islamists urged King Abdullah II Monday to carry out reforms similar to measures taken this month by his Moroccan counterpart, saying there was no need for a dialogue commission.
“King Abdullah knows the meaning of real reform, which does not need a committee to initiate dialogue,” said Zaki Bani Rsheid, head of political office of the Islamic Action Front. “The king of Morocco [Mohammad VI] is an example to follow. He has announced reforms unilaterally and they are satisfactory.”
Mohammad VI announced reforms March 9 including greater independence for the judiciary, enhanced powers for the prime minister, and the separation of powers, in an apparent move toward a constitutional monarchy.
Jordan’s government on March 14 formed a national dialogue committee and invited 52 people including three top Muslim Brotherhood leaders as well as former ministers, politicians, trade unionists and writers to join in. But five of those, including the Islamists and a political activist, refused to take part in the panel, which held its first meeting Saturday.
“We are ready to join the dialogue commission if it is ready to discuss constitutional reforms, which are essential to empower the people, particularly through a parliamentary government,” Bani Rsheid said.
Senate president Taher Masri, who heads the committee, declined to comment on the Islamists’ demands, but said the panel plans “within two weeks to go to different governorates for consultations on amendments of the electoral and political parties laws.” The IAF, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood, said that they “feel that the regime is unwilling to make reforms.”
“The regime is stalling for time and trying to keep the public preoccupied,” Bani Rsheid said. “We are determined to continue the pressure.” He added that young people “from all sectors, including the Islamist movement, will begin from Thursday a protest movement in the interior circle” in central Amman. – AFP
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