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Israel-Palestine-Jordan | ||
Jordan opposition demands parliament dissolution | ||
2011-01-19 | ||
AMMAN — Jordan’s main opposition Islamic Action Front demanded on Tuesday the dissolution of parliament and removal of Samir Rifai’s government on allegations of “fraud” in November elections. “The elections were marred by fraud; we have evidence of the use of tens of thousands of fake identity cards during the electoral process,” said IAF secretary general Hamzeh Mansur. Mansur, whose remarks were reported on the IAF website, called for “the fall of the government” of Prime Minister Rifai. He also called for the “formation of a transitional government headed by an honest national personality who enjoys the confidence of the people.”
The IAF boycotted the parliamentary elections held on November 9 to protest at the under-representation of urban areas, where it is strong. King Abdullah II called for amendments to the electoral law as he inaugurated the new parliament on November 28. In his remarks on Tuesday, Mansur slammed “the spread of corruption” in Jordan, noting that “the continuation of this phenomenon is a dangerous threat ... that opens the door to more poverty and social unrest.” Poverty levels are running at 25 percent in the desert kingdom, whose capital Amman.
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Posted by:Steve White |