1000s rally for reform in Jordan capital

Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in the Jordanian capital Amman after Friday prayers to demand economic and political reforms in the Arab country. Chanted anti-regime slogans, protesters held banners accusing the regime of corruption. "We say to them (Jordanian regime), start from today and call for reform. Work with us to achieve reform, to avoid Jordan entering into a dark tunnel that would effect everyone including the head of the regime," said protester Mohammad al-Hout. Protesters, most of them from the Islamic Action Front and other opposition parties, lashed out at the government, accusing it of planning to impoverish Jordanians. Participants in the demonstration warned against the serious consequences of any move by the government to raise the prices of public utilities such as electricity. The protest came as the government has announced recently that it plans to increase electricity bills to decrease a growing budget deficit.