Jordan Ex-Crown Prince Detained Amid Coup Attempt Against King
By Stefan J. Bos. Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
(Worthy News) – Jordanian authorities have reportedly detained Jordan’s former crown prince and arrested nearly 20 other people Saturday amid an ongoing investigation into an alleged plot to unseat the king.
Prince Hamzah bin Hussein, the oldest son of the late King Hussein and his American-born wife Queen Noor, was placed under restriction at his Amman palace, The Washington Post newspaper reported.
There was concern that the former crown prince wanted to unseat his half brother, King Abdullah II, a Middle East intelligence official briefed on the events was quoted as saying.
The move followed the discovery of what palace officials called a complex and far-reaching plot that included at least one other Jordanian royal as well as tribal leaders and members of the country’s security establishment.
Additional arrests were expected, officials said speaking on condition of anonymity. In a statement, officials defended the arrests saying there was a “threat to the country’s stability.” The king was believed to be unharmed.
The tensions come while Jordan, which is among Arabic countries that signed a peace accord with Israel, is seen as a strategic country in the region for security. The resource-poor kingdom of 10 million is a significant partner in the U.S.-led campaign against the Islamic State terror group. It also supported U.S. forces in security operations worldwide.
Detained Prince Hamzah served as Jordan’s crown prince for four years before the title was transferred to the current monarch’s eldest son, Hussein.
Hamzah was reportedly informed of his detention by senior Jordanian military officers who arrived at his house with guards’ escort.
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