Senior Jordanian officer killed in riots in southern Jordan -- Petra

AMMAN, Dec 16 (KUNA) -- A senior security officer has been killed during riots in southern Jordan, the official news agency, Petra, said early on Friday.
"Saboteurs" Thursday killed the Deputy Police Chief of Ma'an, Colonel Abdul Razzaq Dalabeh, by shooting him in the head while the police were trying to "calm down riots in the southern town of Al Husseiniya," Petra said, citing a police report.
The Public Security Directorate (PSD) mourned the death of Dalabeh. The directorate said, in a statement, it would continue its work to uphold security and protect people, adding, "we will strike with an iron fist anyone who attempts to attack lives and public property and threatens the security of the homeland and the citizen." The PSD said that it protects the freedom of opinion and peaceful expression; nonetheless, it will operate according to the law and by using "appropriate" force with anyone who stages riots and vandalises property.
The PSD expressed condolences to the families and colleagues of Dalabeh.
Meanwhile, the police indicated in a separate report that another officer was also shot during the disturbances, suffering from injuries, at the same location.
The PSD, in a report carried by the state-run news agency, said two injured officers were taken to hospital while the security forces were dealing with what it described as "outlaws" across the country, adding, "we will not allow them to implement their plans to undermine the security and stability of the homeland." The PSD urged people to "stay away from the criminal and subversive acts that some incite." It also called on citizens not to publish information except those issued through it, saying it had identified fabricated footage whose authors seek inciting violence, also according to Petra in its English-language news website. (end) ab.rk