Jordan Times
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Jordan seizes more arms, says
Hamas military official in Syria ordered attacks
By Khaled Nuaimat
AMMAN — The government on Tuesday said Hamas
members arrested recently were close to attacking officials and installations in
Jordan under orders from a movement military leader based in Syria.
Government Spokesperson Nasser Judeh also said security services, guided by a
detained Hamas man, seized more arms, which were hidden in a northern village.
He said the weapons included TNT explosives and light anti-tank LAW rockets.
“The foiled plots by Hamas elements against officials and installations in
Jordan were in the final stages of execution,” Judeh told reporters during a
weekly press briefing.
“Interrogations of suspects proved that they received instructions from a Hamas
leader, specifically an official of the Hamas' military wing, who is now in
Syria.”
Judeh gave no further details.
Jordan last week indefinitely postponed a visit by Palestinian Foreign Minister
and a Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar after finding a weapons stash belonging to the
group.
Authorities found explosives and rockets in the hands of a Hamas cell, which had
been surveying strategic spots in Amman and other cities, the government said.
Officials believe the weapons were smuggled into the country from neighbouring
Syria.
Hamas on Tuesday denied any involvement and a Syrian foreign ministry official
said Damascus was “unaware of any Hamas military leadership within its borders”
and that the group's presence in Syria was solely political, Reuters reported.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday met with Prime Minister Marouf
Bakhit and said the information he received about the issue was “dangerous and
surprising.”
A high-level Palestinian political and security delegation was going to visit
Jordan to study the issue “which has serious repercussions for the security and
stability of the Kingdom,” Abbas said.
Jordan expelled Hamas members, including the now Damascus-based supremo Khaled
Mishaal, and closed its offices in Amman in November 1999.