Jordan unrest: Clashes wound 48 police officers

Dozens of people have been injured as ultra-conservative Salafist Muslims clashed with pro-government supporters in Jordan's northern city of Zarqa.

The police used tear gas to disperse the crowds, a police spokesman said. 48 police officers were injured in the clashes, 6 of them were rushed to hospital in grave condition.

Meanwhile, up to 1,000 people protested in the capital Amman, calling for political and economic reform.

The Salafists have been demonstrating over the past few weeks to demand the release of 90 Islamist prisoners.

Salafists espouse an austere form of Sunni Islam that seeks a return to practices common in the early days of the faith. The movement's ideology is similar to al-Qaeda's.

Their demonstrations are separate from the 14-week-old wave of anti-government protests by leftists and more moderate Islamists, who are demanding democratic reforms in the kingdom.

They also want the resignation of Prime Minister Marouf al-Bakhit, reforms to parliament, and for corrupt officials to stand trial, BBC reports.