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Security measures only target ‘small group’ of wanted persons in Maan — Majali

Apr 24,2014 - Last updated at Apr 24,2014

AMMAN — Interior Minister Hussein Majali briefed a Cabinet session, headed by Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour Thursday, on the riots Maan Governorate has witnessed after recent gun assaults on Gendarmerie officers.

These officers were on duty guarding a court in Maan, 220km south of Amman, when they were shot by people with criminal records, the minister was quoted as saying by the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

 Majali said the assailants deliberately obstructed transferring an injured Gendarmerie officer to Maan Public Hospital. Moreover, they tried to halt transferring an officer in a critical condition to hospital by a medical helicopter, leading to clashes that resulted in the injury of five Gendarmerie personnel, one in a critical condition.

He added that on Tuesday night, suspects opened fire at a Gendarmerie Force from a building and a vehicle of some wanted persons while the force was searching for suspects in the court case.

Gendarmerie personnel had to fire back, which resulted in the death of one person.

The death of the young man, reportedly an innocent passer-by, triggered wider riots, with Maan figures accusing authorities of using excessive force in the campaign.

Rioters attacked public and private facilities including three banks, income tax offices and two schools, according to Majali.

Attacks also included throwing burning bottles on security forces who were trying to restore order in the city, which is inhabited by 50,000 people, and arrest the suspects.

Earlier on Thursday, Majali held two meetings with security leaders in Maan to examine the situation, Petra reported.

Attendees of the meeting stressed that “the security operation in Maan will continue, targeting a limited number of outlaws and wanted individuals”, in addition to those proven to be involved in assaults on gendarmes, riots, vandalism and “terrorising citizens”.

Majali stressed that there is “no security campaign in Maan”, but rather measures to arrest a number of outlaws and restore security in the restive city.

The Interior Ministry, he added, is in contact with residents and tribal leaders of Maan to cooperate with them to complete their mission.

“The state and its security apparatuses are capable of enforcing their authority and restoring law and order by bringing an end to any attempts to disturb the peace and threaten the security of citizens,” Majali told the Cabinet.

Any measures that are taken will only be aimed at arresting those behind the unrest and referring them to court for “justice to take its course”, Majali stressed.

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