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Saturday, Nov 17, 2012 2:15 PM UTC

Jordan’s prime minister defends price rise

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Jordan's prime minister defends price riseJordanian loyalists march in the streets of Irbid, chant pro-king Abdullah slogans, and carry wooden sticks and batons, to threat the protesters who start protesting since last Tuesday due to the rising of fuel prices, including a hike on cooking gas ,, in Irbid, Jordan, Friday Nov. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Mohammad Hannon)(Credit: Mohammad Hannon)

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Jordan’s prime minister is defending his decision to raise prices for household fuel, four days after the move sparked unrest that left one person killed and scores wounded.

Abdullah Ensour says shaky state finances forced him to take the “painful decision” to hike heating and cooking gas by 54 percent and some oil derivatives by up to 28 percent.

He says that removing state subsidies on such products will save funds that will be directed to needier economic sectors. He assured low income Jordanians that they will be compensated by $600 per year for a household of six.

Protests across the country turned unusually violent earlier this week, with one person killed and 75 others, including 58 policemen, injured.

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Gripping photos: The people of the Turkey protests (slideshow)

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  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

  • People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.

  • On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.

  • The authorities seem to be most aggressive in the night, pushing protesters away from the square and park. After being teargassed this young woman catches her breath with other protesters on Siraselviler Street.

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