Thousands of young men poured into the streets of Jordan’s cities and towns for a third night of scattered protests against King Abdullah II, as the United States expressed support for the monarch, The New York Times reported Friday, November 16. Thursday’s protests around the country were set off this week by anger at a reduction in public fuel subsidies. Unlike previous demonstrations, this week’s protests for the first time have also called for ending the rule of King Abdullah II. The protests turned notably violent on Wednesday night, after the police shot and killed a demonstrator. Jordan’s monarchy is a pivotal United States ally and one of the few Arab countries to have signed a peace treaty with Israel. Asked about the protests, State Department Spokesman Mark Toner urged protesters to remain peaceful and expressed support for the reforms led by the king.