Protesters Demand 'Saving' Jordan from Corruption

More than a thousand Jordanian protesters demonstrated Friday in central Amman calling for the country to be saved from corruption and demanding regime reforms.

"Saving Jordan from corruption is a national duty," read a banner carried by the protesters, including opposition Islamists and youth groups, who marched from Al-Husseini mosque to the nearby city hall in the city center.

"Jordan is not for sale. The people want to reform the regime," they chanted as they carried a large national flag.

"So far, there is no reform. Jordanians will not stop unless they see real reforms," Jamil Abu Baker, spokesman of the powerful Muslim Brotherhood, told Agence France Presse.

The demonstration comes a day after Prime Minister Awn Khasawneh won a comfortable vote of confidence for his government from parliament.

"What counts is how the government achieves required reforms. But the government has a clear program that does not include genuine constitutional reforms," Abu Baker said.

"This is disappointing to the people."

On Thursday, the MPs urged Khasawneh's government meet public demands for reform as well as taking tougher action against corruption.

Khasawneh, 61, an International Court of Justice judge who formed his cabinet in October, vowed to fight corruption, saying, "no one is above the law."

Similar demonstrations took place in the southern cities of Karak, Tafileh and Maan.

Since January, Jordan has faced protests calling for political and economic change and an end to corruption.