Israeli Foreign Minister, Silvan Shalom's visit to Jordan was cancelled, it was announced Tuesday. The Israeli official announcement gave no reason for the cancellation, but said a new date will be decided by both sides.
The Israeli minister was to travel to Amman on Wednesday in a bid to mend relations, which have taken a turn for the worse in a dispute over the West Bank separation barrier.
Fearing a new wave of Palestinian refugees, Jordan has been taking a lead role in the campaign against the Israeli project and in preparations for an upcoming International Court of Justice hearing on its legality.
Shalom was also to discuss the release of a number of Jordanian prisoners from Israeli jails. According to AFP, sources in Amman said the issue of the prisoners was to be among the central topics of discussion between Shalom and and his Jordanian counterpart, Marwan Moasher.
Jordan's Government spokeswoman Asma Khodr said around 20 Jordanians were expected to be freed.
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
