More than 1,000 Jordanians demonstrated in the southern town of Tafileh Friday, demanding the fall of the government and urging an end to corruption, protesters said.

Rallied by a group calling itself "The Youth of Tafileh", protesters chanted slogans such as "People want the government to fall", "We will not be silent and continue to expose corruption", and "Destiny will help the people who want to survive."

The Friday protests come as King Abdullah II urged the government Wednesday to "protect the innocent victims of slander and hatred", including members of his family.

Prime Minister Maaruf Bakhit said Thursday that "the government will take the necessary legal measures against all those who accuse officials of corruption without proof."

Since January, Jordan has been facing a protest movement demanding political and economic reforms, and an end to corruption.

In response, King Abdullah on April 26 created a commission to propose constitutional reform.