On the succession of the throne of King Hussein
Jordan, Reporter's View, 1/21/1999

King Hussein of Jordan on Wednesday, after his arrival in Jordan Tuesday from his long medical treatment in the United States, may have paved the way for his eldest son, Prince Abdullah (36) to succeed him, in choosing him as a crown prince and in separating between this post and the post of the "Viceroy," which he will keep for his brother Prince Hassan Bin Tallal.

This possibility was reinforced by assigning Prince Abdullah to welcome Arab Gulf officials, including two crown princes, who came to Jordan to congratulate the King over his recovery, a mission, according to protocol, that should be undertaken by the crown prince (Hassan).

In a televised interview, the Jordanian king said that choosing his brother as a crown prince in 1965 was done at a time when there were no other options, adding, "this matter does not mean the end of the story."

The King continued, "This is my responsibility and I will take the decision at the proper time."

The possible appointment of Prince Abdullah, a lieutenant general in the Jordanian Army, as a crown prince would not need an amendment in the Jordanian constitution because it states that "the eldest son of the King can succeed his father. The King can choose one of his brothers to be a crown prince."

Prince Abdullah received Dubai Crown Prince and United Arab Emirates Defense Minister Sheikh Muhammad Bin Rashed al-Maktoum, and Abu Dhabi emirate crown prince Sheikh Muhammad Bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the UAE minister of information and culture Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed al-Nahyan. It was noted in the scenes broadcast by the Jordanian official TV that prince Hassan (51) was not present in the meeting between the King and his Arab Gulf guests. According to well-informed sources in Amman that " it has become quite clear that from now on prince Abdullah will be the crown prince. Upon his arrival from Britain where he spent four days, the Jordanian King (63), drew doubts on the " crown prince post."

King Hussein arrived in Amman on Tuesday in his private plane after a six-month absence. He announced just minutes after his arrival that he will make "reforms in the interests of the Jordanians."

Previous Stories:
  King Hussein: Reports on succession mere forecasts   (1/20/1999)
  King Hussein returns home   (1/20/1999)
  Jordan denies report that King Hussein has only three months to live   (10/23/1998)

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