AMMAN, June 1, 2018 (News Wires) - King Abdullah II on Friday ordered the government to freeze proposed increases to fuel and electricity prices that triggered protests across the country. Past price hikes have triggered riots in Jordan, a country of 9.5 million with few resources, burdened by poverty and unemployment. The plan for further increases prompted the country's first nationwide strike in decades on Wednesday. Late on Thursday and early Friday, hundreds of Jordanians demonstrated in Amman and other cities, calling for the "fall of the government" as they blocked roads with cars and burning tyres. They were angered by the government's plan to raise fuel prices by up to 5.5 per cent and a 19 per cent hike in electricity prices, as well as a proposal for a new income tax. The king ordered the government to shelve the increases set to take effect Friday as the country observes the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the official Petra news agency said. In a statement run by Petra, Prime Minister Hani Mulki said the price hikes would be frozen for the current month upon the directives of King Abdullah.
