Jordan Times
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Hotels step up security
in wake of attacks
By Rana Husseini
AMMAN — Hotels and major institutions in the
Kingdom have began beefing up security measures, installing metal detectors and
other equipment, in the wake of last week's triple suicide bombings at major
Amman hotels, officials said on Saturday.
“Metal detectors and security equipment are being installed in hotels in Amman,
the Dead Sea and Aqaba, government buildings and major shopping centres,” Deputy
Prime Minister Marwan Muasher told reporters.
Three suicide attacks targeted the Radisson SAS, Days Inn and Grand Hyatt hotels
on Wednesday night claiming the lives of 57 victims and injuring more than 90
others.
Director of the Public Security Department (PSD) Lieutenant General Mohammad
Aitan met on Saturday with representatives of hotels, banks and other major
establishments from around the country to discuss adopting precautionary
security measures to prevent similar attacks in the future.
“It was agreed in the meeting to install inspection equipment for people,
luggage and vehicles in these entities,” PSD media office chief Major Bashir
Daaja told The Jordan Times yesterday.
He said the managers and proprietors of these establishments agreed to upgrade
their electronic surveillance systems and recruit retired army personnel to
operate the equipment because “they are experienced and efficient in this
field.”
Security was more visible in Amman on Saturday, with police units of the PSD
manning major thoroughfares and intersections. People were out in large numbers
at the weekend going about their business.
Restaurants and caf?s around the capital have remained busy.
The government had, prior to the attacks, announced that Sunday instead of
Monday, Nov. 14, would be a public holiday in observance of the birthday of the
late King Hussein.
The government pledged to increase security measures around the country
immediately after the attacks. Access to the entrances of the capital's hotels
has been restricted. Visitors, their luggage and parcels are being searched by
police officers.
“These strict security measures at hotels will be applied until we make sure
that these premises are no longer targeted,” Muasher told The Jordan Times.