Jordanians protest against terrorism

AMMAN, Jordan, April 29 (UPI) -- Jordanian Queen Rania led a massive demonstration in Amman Thursday to protest terrorist attacks that were averted last week.

The demonstration, in which more than 20,000 people participated, including Amman's mayor, officials and school and university students, began in front of the parliament building and roamed the main streets of the Jordanian capital.

The protesters raised banners denouncing terrorist groups "planning to undermine national security and spilling the blood of inoffensive civilians."

The demonstrators also called on authorities to crack down on terrorist cells "and anyone who seeks to meddle with the country's security and stability."

The demonstration was organized by a pro-government group called "the Provisional Committee for Supporting Jordan."

Opposition groups, including the powerful Islamic Action Front, failed to participate in the protest because it was not informed, according to the Islamist party's sources.

Jordanian authorities said last week they had foiled plans by al-Qaida to bomb the Jordanian intelligence headquarters with chemical weapons and attack the U.S. embassy in Amman with poisonous gas.

A number of terror suspects were killed and others arrested in a clash between police and Muslim gunmen in an Amman neighborhood a week ago.