AMMAN, April 4 (IslamOnline) - The Jordanian government on Wednesday banned political rallies in the capital for fear of violating the stability and security of the country, Jordan News Agency, Petra, announced.
The agency quoted the governor of the Jordanian capital Amman, Tala'at Nawaysah, as saying that the ban was also issued to maintain "the normal life, [and] avoid anything that could disturb it because these processions and rallies are considered a threat to the security and order [of the country] and a hamper to the interests of the citizens."
Nawayseh stressed in a memorandum that was issued Wednesday "the necessity to undertake security measures that would prevent such processions or sit-ins whatever the objectives are."
The governor's decision came amid reported intentions by opposition parties and professional unions to launch a campaign in the coming few days to protest the continuous Israeli aggression against Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in order to quash the 6-month-old Intifada, which has left over 375 Palestinians killed and over 7,000 injured.
On Saturday, Jordanian opposition parties are planning to march from the professional unions' headquarters to the United Nations offices in the heart of Amman.
Petra said that security authorities have informed the professional unions and parties about the ban order.
The rally could turn into a clash between the participants and security officials if the former insist on holding the protest.
Last year, Jordanian policemen clashed with protesters in several rallies in Amman and nearby cities, in which security officials ordered the use of teargas to disperse protesters by force. Many were arrested following the rallies, held in support of the Palestinians.
