ALBAWABA - Jordan announced that security was beefed up across the kingdom to ensure the safety of citizens and the restoration of law and order.
The step undertaken by the Public Security Directorate (PSD) is aimed at ensuring citizens free and mobility along the Kingdom’s roads, Police Spokesperson Lt. Col. Amer Sartawi said. He did not spell out the security measures undertaken, but it was evident that more police patrols have been deployed across the capital and elsewhere nationwide.
“We will confront anyone who attempts to attack public and private property, and we will deal accordingly within the provisions of the law with vandals,” Sartawi told The Jordan Times.
Earlier in the day, the PSD announced the arrest of 44 alleged rioters in various parts of the kingdom, which resulted in the death of a police officer and the injury of 49 others, according to English-language daily.
Colonel Abdelrazzaq Dalabeeh was shot in the head during riots in Ma'an Governorate at dawn on Friday. The deputy director for the Ma'an Police Directorate was killed while dealing with rioters in the Al Husseinieh area of the governorate, the PSD spokesperson told the Jordan Times.
King Abdullah has instructed his security apparatus to identify and apprehend the gunman, who shot dead Col. Dalabeeh, Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya said on Friday.
In a press conference, Faraya said that the government is handling the situation “wisely and with accountability” since the beginning of the protests, and has held a number of consultative meetings to discuss the demands of truck owners. He noted that the demands have been addressed, stressing that the strike resulted in a suspension of supplies in a number of vital facilities, a matter the government will not allow to continue.
The hardest decision that the government had to make is to increase the prices of fuel derivatives, he said, adding that lowering the prices will result in further financial strains.
He maintained that the strikes and protests harm citizens, damage health and property, and could result in loss of life, but emphasized that the government is committed to respecting the freedom of peaceful expression as guaranteed by the Constitution.
PSD Director Maj. Gen. Obaidallah Maaytah told the same press conference that "the protests deviated from the peaceful path," and turned into attacks on public property. Obaidallah noted that 70 police vehicles and more than 90 private vehicles were ambushed.
King Abdullah and his uncle, Prince Hassan, extended condolences to Dalabeeh's family on Friday. "We will not rest until the criminal is brought to justice," he asserted.
The monarch also reaffirmed that violence against the state, vandalism of public property, and violating the rights of Jordanians will be dealt with firmly. He pointed out that assaults and acts of vandalism are dangerous threats to national security that will not be tolerated.
