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Arab World Unrest Has Jordan's King under Pressure

(AP-Washington Post) Jamal Halaby - After two weeks of widespread protests, Jordan's King Abdullah II, a key U.S. ally, has been making promises of reform in an attempt to quell domestic discontent over economic degradation and lack of political freedoms, but the Muslim Brotherhood called for fresh demonstrations on Friday. Prime Minister Samir Rifai announced a $550 million package of new subsidies in the last two weeks for fuel and staple products like rice, sugar, livestock and liquefied gas used for heating and cooking. Still, human rights abuses in Jordan are far fewer than in Tunisia and Egypt. "Nobody wants to see a regime change in Jordan, like in Tunisia or Egypt," said analyst Labib Kamhawi. "But people here want to see accountability, transparency, an end to corruption in government circles and wider public freedoms and popular participation in the decision-making."
2011-01-28 08:25:31
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