Senior Jordanian leader accuses crown prince for “malicious plot”

A senior Jordanian leader on Sunday accused the country’s then crown prince of cooperating with foreign elements in a “malicious plot” that threatened public security.

Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi told journalists that the plot had been foiled at the “zero hour.”

“Then it was clear they moved from painting and planning into action,” Safadi said.

Some 14-16 people are following arrest, in addition to two older officials close to Prince Hamzah, the judge said.

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Prince Hamzah, the half-brother of Abdullah II, announced Saturday he has been put under house arrest and blamed the country’s “ruling system” of ineptitude and crime.

Prince Hamzah’s videotaped announcement came after the country’s official news agency announced too former senior officials and other prisoners had been detained for “security reasons.”

Safadi did not identify the different nations allegedly engaged in the plot. But he told a longtime senior official who has trade ties in several Gulf Arab states, Bassem Ibrahim Awadallah, was required and had been planning on leaving the country.

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Asked whether Hamzah could face costs, Safadi stated that for the time being, there were “friendly” efforts to deal with him, but added that “the kingdom’s stability and security transforms” everything.

Jordan’s allies stand by Abdullah

The bizarre incident has raised attention about resistance in a country seen as a key Western ally in a unstable region.

But the crisis appeared to have little direct effect on external support for Abdullah.

“King Abdullah is a key associate of the United States, and he has our full backing,” US State Department spokesman Ned Price said.

The US considers Jordan a major ally, granting it access to military equipment and assistance. The kingdom has some 3,000 American troops.

Gulf Arab countries also immediately issued reports backing the king and his adminstration.

The state-run Saudi Press Agency stated the kingdom’s royal court established King Abdullah’s efforts “to maintain security and stability and defuse every effort to change them.”

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz called Jordan a “strategic ally” and replaced the confusion as an “internal Jordanian matter.”

Queen Noor defends son

Early on Sunday, Hamzah’s mother, Queen Noor, evinced sympathy for “innocent victims,” asking woman was also put under house arrest.

“Praying that truth as well as justice will prevail for all the innocent victims of this wicked slander. God bless and keep them safe,” she tweeted.”