Dozens hurt in Jordan clashes

Dozens of people have been injured in clashes between hundreds of Islamic hard-liners and supporters of Jordan’s king outside the capital Amman.

About 350 extremist Salafi Muslims confronted a slightly smaller group of pro-king loyalists in the town of Zarqa.

The demonstrations turned violent when a supporter of the king came under attack.

An Associated Press reporter saw people throwing stones and being beaten with batons.

Protests in Jordan have been smaller than in other Arab nations and have not sought the removal of King Abdullah II. Instead, they call for reforms, including the election of the prime minister.

Zarqa is the birthplace of al-Qaida in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi who was killed by a US air strike in 2006.