Original headlines in Jordan Times:

Islamists warn against violence, ‘uprising’ should fuel crisis continue

by Taylor Luck | Nov 19, 2012 | 23:30

AMMAN — The Muslim Brotherhood called on Monday for a national conference to tackle the country’s growing political crisis, warning of a potential “national uprising” should the government fail to usher in democratic reforms.

At a press conference on Monday, Islamist leaders called on the government to reverse a decision to raise fuel subsidies and for the formation of a “national salvation government” to help the country overcome “a dangerous phase”.

During the conference, hosted by the Higher Council for Reform — a pairing of the Brotherhood and its political branch, the Islamic Action Front — the Islamist movement called for the holding of a “national conference” to address the country’s economic and political future.

“This decision affects all Jordanians and we need all political and social factions of society to come up with workable solutions to this crisis,” Hamzah Mansour, IAF secretary general, said during the press conference.

Against ‘regime change’

During the presser, the Islamist movement reiterated its rejection of recent calls for “regime change”, warning the government that an ongoing delay in political reforms and a lack of response has led to a rise in demands on the streets.

“We are against calls for regime change; we have and always will call for regime reform and democratic reforms,” Mansour said.

The Brotherhood denounced the violence that took place in some areas in Jordan over fuel subsidies, accusing the government of sparking the riots by “mishandling” the crisis

“For over two years and 75,000 demonstrations and sit-ins, we have not witnessed any violence or destruction or rioting,” Mansour said of the country’s protest movement.

“Within hours of the decision, we saw unprecedented destruction — the regime carries responsibility for this development.”

“Every day the slogans and demands on the streets are rising higher and yet the regime remains absent,” Mansour said.

“The people now face three choices: reform the regime, topple the regime or watch the regime become corrupt,” Zaki Bani Rsheid, deputy leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, said.

“We support and always have supported regime reform,” Bani Rsheid added.

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