Police uses batons to disperse Jordan protest

A protester with the Jordanian flag takes part in a demonstration demanding the dissolution of the parliament and the departure of the government, after Friday prayers in Amman July 15, 2011.

AMMAN (Reuters) - Jordanian police armed with batons clashed with hundreds of protesters shouting "the people want the reform of the regime" as the crowds attempted to march in downtown Amman Friday, a Reuters witness said.

Security forces have previously prevented demonstrators demanding the removal of the government, but not King Abdullah, who appoints the cabinet and has wide powers, from assembling at main squares.

The clamp down has been prompted by fears of mass crowds as seen in Egypt and Tunisia where long-serving leaders were overthrown earlier this year.

(Reporting by Khaled al-Ramahi)