Jordan’s Information Minister Saleh Qallab said on Saturday that the Qatari ambassador's Friday attempt to leave the kingdom along with the crew of a grounded Qatari Airways flight “violated international laws.” Meanwhile, Qatar said it would take all necessary measures to ensure the return of the crew members to their homeland.
The crew of the Qatar Airways Airbus 320 has been in Jordan since the aircraft landed at Queen Alia International Airport 10 days ago, carrying exiled Hamas spokesman Ibrahim Ghosheh from Doha.
Qallab said that the crew, including the aircraft's pilot Hamad Bedeiwi, were prevented from leaving the country, but added that Qatari Ambassador Abdur Rahman Ben Jassem Al Thani was “kindly” asked to take the VIP route to wherever he wished, according to the Jordan Times newspaper.
“We were surprised last night to learn that the Qatari ambassador wanted to travel to Doha accompanied by the crew, without the arrival of a replacement team, so we told him his move violated international laws,” Qallab told the paper.
He added that “airport officials told the envoy he could leave alone from the VIP lounge of the airport” in line with his status “but that the crew cannot leave unless they are replaced,” Qallab noted.
The minister said “the ambassador was never mistreated, as he is a dear brother who has our full respect and esteem.” He added that Jordan and Qatar “are still linked by strong ties which we are determined to maintain and enhance.”
According to Qallab, international aviation law stipulates that any country has the right to refuse the departure of the crew of a plane at its airport unless an alternate crew is sent to replace the initial one.
For its part, the Qatari government said on Saturday that it would take all necessary measures to ensure the return of its citizens "illegally held" by the Jordanian authorities.”
“We trust that our Jordanian brothers are fully aware of the seriousness of their measures,” said a Qatari statement quoted by TV reports said – Albawaba.com
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