By Hani Hazaimeh

AMMAN - Al Jazeera television correspondent in Amman Yaser Abu Hilala, who was beaten by anti-riot police while covering a demonstration in Rabia, was discharged from the Specialty Hospital on Saturday after receiving treatment.

Security forces fired tear gas at more than 2,000 protesters on Friday to prevent them from approaching the Israeli embassy in Amman. Water cannons were also used to disperse some of the protesters.

Abu Hilala, also head of bureau in Amman, said he and three of his colleagues were at the scene covering the protest which witnessed clashes between demonstrators and the Gendarmerie Forces, when two people dressed in civilian clothes asked him to leave the scene, threatening him with violence.

The Al Jazeera correspondent said he identified himself as a journalist and insisted on continuing his coverage of the event when the two men assaulted him.

“They started beating me up and insulting me. Then two riot police came and hit me with their batons,” he said, adding that he was rescued by members of the Public Security Department’s (PSD) preventive security section.

The incident drew protests from the Jordan Press Association which condemned the assault and held a sit-in on Saturday to denounce the targeting of journalists in Gaza and elsewhere.

Abu Hilala told The Jordan Times that he was questioned by an investigation committee formed by the PSD to look into the incident, while PSD Spokesperson Major Mohammad Khatib said officials will take all necessary action to uncover those responsible for the incident, which he described as “isolated”.

His Majesty King Abdullah phoned Abu Hilala on Friday to check on his condition, reiterating his rejection of any assault against journalists.

Meanwhile, senior government officials visited Abu Hilala in the hospital, including Prime Minister Nader Dahabi, the King’s Adviser Ayman Safadi, Minister of Interior Eid Fayez and Minister of State for Media Affairs Communications and Nasser Judeh.

During the visit, the officials emphasised that the assault was “unacceptable” and does not reflect state policy regarding the media.

The PSD spokesperson stressed that official police policy is to allow citizens to express their feelings about the Israeli attacks on Gaza freely, stemming from the Monarch's directives to respect the freedom of expression. He noted that hundreds of peaceful demonstrations have taken place across the Kingdom over the past few weeks in solidarity with the Palestinians.

Referring to the beating of Abu Hilala, Khatib said the PSD regrets the incident which was “against department policy, customs and traditions”, adding that the case will be followed up personally by PSD Director Major General Mazen Qadi.