The casino government should go

Jordanians want 'parliament of shame' dissolved
(AFP)

AMMAN — About 2,000 people demonstrated across Jordan on Friday to demand the dissolution of the "parliament of shame," over a suspected corruption case involving a gambling casino.

More than 1,000 Jordanians took part in a demonstration organised by the Islamist opposition in central Amman after midday prayers, also calling for the resignation of the government and the "downfall" of parliament.

MPs on Monday failed to impeach Prime Minister Maaruf Bakhit for his alleged role in a suspected graft case about a multi-million-dollar deal that his government singed with a British-based company to build a casino, between 2005 and 2007 when he first served as premier.

"The casino government should go. No to the casino parliament," read one of the banners carried by the demonstrators.

"Down with Bakhit and his gambling government. A dishonest broker cannot protect the country," they chanted.

At least three MPs have resigned in protest against the lower house's decision not to impeach Bakhit, local news reports have said.

MPs have cleared Bakhit despite a parliamentary committee report which has found the premier partially responsible.

"The people want reform and change. No immunity to the corrupt," nearly 1,000 people chanted in the southern city of Tafileh, branding the assembly a "parliament of shame."

In Karak, near Tafileh, at least 200 people demonstrated, demanding the "sacking of government and dissolution of parliament."

Police on Thursday clashed briefly with demonstrators outside parliament in central Amman before dispersing an anti-corruption protest, which called for the "imprisonment" of Bakhit over the casino issue.

Since January, Jordan has faced a protest movement demanding political and economic reforms and an end to corruption.