King freezes price hikes on fuel and electricity

AMMAN—His Majesty King Abdullah on Friday ordered the government to freeze new price hikes on fuel derivatives and electricity.

In a statement run by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, Prime Minister Hani Mulki said upon directives by King Abdullah hikes in prices of fuel and electricity that were announced Thursday will be frozen for the current month.

The Premier said the decision takes into account the economic conditions during the holy month of Ramadan.

On Thursday night and early Friday, thousands of Jordanians gathered in front of the Prime Ministry protesting the hikes in prices of fuel derivatives and electricity. Several other protests were held across the country's governorates in protest of the government's decision and in rejection of the income tax draft law.

The protests came after the government announced an increase of electricity prices by 23.5 per cent and fuel derivatives between 4.5 per cent to 5.5 per cent, citing rise in prices of crude oil globally.