Jordan ‘foiled malicious plot’ that threatened security

A SENIOR Jordanian official has accused the country’s former crown prince of conspiring with foreign elements in a “malicious plot” that threatened national security.

Foreign minister Ayman Safadi told reporters that the plot had been foiled at the “zero hour”. “Then it was clear they moved from design and planning into action,” Mr Safadi said. He says some 14 to 16 people are under arrest.

Mr Safadi spoke a day after Prince Hamzah, a half brother of

King Abdullah II, was placed under house arrest, in a rare public clash between top members of the longruling family.

The unprecedented incident has raised concerns about stability in a country seen as a key Western ally in a volatile region and drawn an outpouring of support for Abdullah.

In a videotaped statement from house arrest, Hamzah accused the country’s leadership of corruption and incompetence.

Mr Safadi said intelligence agents had been observing the plotters for some time.