King Hussein of Jordan reacts to chaos in Maan
Jordan, Politics, 2/23/1998

"Order has been restored in Maan," Jordan's King Hussein confirmed. Two days of violent protests over threatened US military strikes against Iraq left one dead and ten wounded in the south Jordan city.

Following a visit to the Ministerial House the king told reporters, "No one is above the law." Concerning the situation in Maan, the king said, "The situation is calm. Measures have been taken, armed forces as well as police entered the city."

"They are in complete control of the situation," he stated. "No incidents have taken place since yesterday evening," he said yesterday.

The armed forces and the police are to inspect for arms and the parties responsible for this situation, the king said. "No party that considers itself above the law, order and security" will be permitted, he stated.

"The door for dialogue is always open," the king said.

He was asked whether there were any foreign parties behind these incidents. "I believe that there are sides who want the death of democracy and aims at it," he answered. "We have had a strict stand against any parties that try to do so," he added. "They will not succeed in achieving their goal, because we believe in democracy and freedom for all," he stated.

Many in Jordan hold Leith Shbeilat responsible for the latest chaos which took place in the kingdom. Shbeilat is the chief of a group of Islamic extremists. He recently visited Baghdad to express support for Saddam Hussein.

Hussein, following Shbeilat's visit, released all the Jordanians jailed in Iraq, an act bitterly criticized by Jordan. Earlier, Crown Prince Hassan, during his attending the Islamic Summit in Tehran, had met with Iraqi Vice President Taha Yasin Ramadan whom he asked for the release of jailed Jordanians. The Iraqi government refused his demand at that time.

Meanwhile, because of the trouble in Maan Israeli Infrastructure Minister Ariel Sharon on Sunday delayed his visit to Jordan, during which he was to meet with King Hussein and Crown Prince Hassan on joint projects.

Israeli trade minister Nathan Sheranski canceled a visit to Jordan scheduled for today. Israeli sources said intensive contacts have been made by Jordanian and Israeli authorities during which the two visits were canceled, Israeli radio reported.

Previous Stories:
  First Jordanian killed, three wounded in demonstration over Iraq   (2/20/1998)
  Jordan's King receives a message from Iran's Khatami   (2/19/1998)
  Jordan's PM criticizes Iraq's decision to release Jordanians   (1/21/1998)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search