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Jordan dismayed at violent protests in Ramtha - gov't

AMMAN, Aug 24 (KUNA) -- The Jordanian government Saturday voiced dismay at a protest staged by "few number of people" in city of Ramtha, which lies near borders with Syria, following government's measures aimed at cracking down on smuggling via crossings.
"We respect all means of peaceful protest and are keen on engaging in dialogue, and we understand constructive and objective criticism," said a government statement, cited by official Petra news agency.
The government said it "completely understands" difficult circumstances in Ramtha following closure of borders with Syria due to security situation in the neighboring country.
It, however, expressed dismay at protesters' firing of bullets in the air, attacking police vehicles with firecrackers and stones, as well as closing of roads with burning tires and damaging public facilities.
Protests broke out in Ramtha yesterday after the government announced few decisions designed to eliminate smuggling of weapons, drugs and cigarettes.
The government said the decisions aimed at protecting safety and economy of citizens and community as a whole from threats posed by smuggling.
It said the measures applied not only to Jaber Crossing with Syria, but all land, sea and air ports amidst rising rates of smuggling of drugs, weapons and cigarettes, which have devastating impact on national economy.
Government representatives met with local officials in Ramtha tonight in a bid to end the protests.
The government's decisions limits quantity of cigarettes each traveler could bring into Jordan because demand on locally-made cigarettes dropped dramatically due to smuggling of cigarettes and use of e-cigarettes, causing losses estimated at millions of Jordanian dinars. (end) mjb.bs