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Jordanian FM Accuses Prince Hamzah of Plotting to Destabilize the Country

VOA News

   Jordan's foreign minister Sunday said an alleged plot by the former
   crown prince to undermine the government had been foiled.

   Ayman Safadi told reporters that Prince Hamzah, the younger,
   half-brother of King Abdullah II, had liaised with foreign parties over
   a plot to destabilize the country.

   Safadi, who also holds the title of the deputy prime minister, did not
   specify which countries were involved in the alleged plot.

   Division in the ruling royal family erupted into the open late Saturday
   when Hamzah announced he could not leave his home and state media
   reported that senior officials had been detained in a security probe.
   Hamzah sent a video recording to the BBC saying he was being silenced
   and lashed out at authorities saying the country had become "stymied in
   corruption, nepotism and misrule."

   Jordan's military told Hamzah to stop activities targeting the
   country's "stability and security."

   "I'm not part of any conspiracy or nefarious organization or
   foreign-backed group, as is always the claim here for anyone who speaks
   out," Hamzah said in the video.

   Hamzah's mother, American-born Queen Noor, defended her son on Twitter,
   referring to the ordeal as "wicked slander."

     Praying that truth and justice will prevail for all the innocent
     victims of this wicked slander. God bless and keep them safe.
     -- Noor Al Hussein (@QueenNoor) [1]April 4, 2021

   The United States and Gulf states including Saudi Arabia expressed
   strong support for Abdullah.

   "King Abdullah is a key partner of the United States, and he has our
   full support," Ned Price, the U.S. State Department spokesperson, wrote
   on Twitter.

     We are closely following the reports out of Jordan, and we have been
     in touch with Jordanian officials. King Abdullah is a key partner of
     the United States, and he has our full support.
     -- Ned Price (@StateDeptSpox) [2]April 3, 2021

   Hamzah is the eldest son of Queen Noor and the late King Hussein. After
   Hussein's death in 1999, Abdullah ascended to the throne and named
   Hamzah as crown prince. Five years later, Abdullah stripped him of the
   title. The position would have put Hamzah next in line for the throne.
   Abdullah named his eldest son, Hussein, as crown prince.

   Analysts have noted that public divisions within the royal family are
   rare in Jordan.

   Dale Gavlak contributed to this report from Amman, Jordan.

References

   1. https://twitter.com/QueenNoor/status/1378639005164707840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
   2. https://twitter.com/StateDeptSpox/status/1378490049210224645?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

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