Muslim Brothers in Jordan ask for return of Hamas leaders, release of detainees

The Jordanian Muslim Brothers group asked yesterday that King Abdullah II of Jordan to allow the return of Hamas leaders to their country and to release tens of the Islamists who were recently detained by the Jordanian authorities.

Gamil Abu Bakr, the spokesman of the group, said the group presented a note to King Abdullah that calls for the commencement of discussions between the government and the opposition and rearranging relations between them for the occasion of the Lesser Bairam.

In press statements, Abu Bakr added, "The note urges the king to reconsider the government's policy toward the Jordanian Islamic movement which included detaining 20 of the group's leaders," clarifying that those detained have no aggressive intentions toward the country and that they were arrested after presenting incorrect information.

Emad Abu Raya, the deputy general supervisor of the Muslim Brothers group, stated that the group is waiting for the anticipated meeting with King Abdullah which is not yet determined."