Jordan glad Israeli intelligence chief is out

Jordan yesterday welcomed the resignation of the Israeli intelligence agency chief Danny Yatom, who was held responsible for a failed assassination attempt on the life of a Hamas leader in Amman late last year.

Foreign Minister Dr. Jawad Annani told radio Israel that the Israeli government's acceptance of Yatom's resignation was a step in a right direction.

Jordan was deeply angered by the assassination attempt against Hamas leader Khaled Mishal in Amman.

The head of Israeli intelligence, Mossad, offered his resignation after an enquiry commission said he bore heavy responsibility for the failed attempt.

The Mossad chief met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who accepted his resignation. Investigations have cleared Netanyahu of blame for the attack on Mishal.

In a letter to Netanyahu, Yatom wrote that he disagreed with the findings of the enquiry.

Yatom had headed the Mossad since June 1996.