Jordan on Saturday affirmed that investigations showed that Al Qaeda was behind explosions that targeted three hotels in Amman last Wednesday. Deputy Prime Minister Marwan Muasher said that Abu Musab Al Zarqawi group carried out the suicide attacks.
Muasher denied al Qaeda's claims that a women was among the bombers. ''There were no indications for the existance of a women among persons who carried out the operation,'' Muasher said, adding that the attack was carried out by three persons and that all bodies were identified. According to Petra, Muasher reiterated that all the suicide bombers were non-Jordanians and refused to give any details about their nationalities.
Also on Saturday, King Abdullah II said that fighting terrorism must take into consideration those who justify the "evil terrorist crimes" and those who instigate it in any way. In an interview with PETRA, the monarch deemed those who justify and instigate terror actions as part of the crime, adding "We will not accept from any body or party to justify terrorism or defend ideas or thoughts that support violence and harm innocent citizens."
In response to a question, the King said "The Jordanians are not frightened, and terrorism does not affect their morale. The whole world saw them on streets expressing anger and challenging terrorism and terrorists," Abdullah underlined. "Such terror actions will not prevent us from continuing the march of development, openness and progress, and our slogan will be law, openness and security all together," he affirmed, adding "the terror action that happened will not push us to be a police state. We don't want that. But there will be a balance between freedom and security in a way that comforts our people and our guests." "The Black Wednesday Crime has formed a great turning point in dealing with those who sympathize or support terrorism."
