Jordan Says Prince Liaised With ‘Foreign Parties’ Over Plot to Destabilize Country

Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ayman Safadi said on Sunday that King Abdullah’s half-brother and former crown prince, Prince Hamza, liaised with foreign parties over a plot to destabilize the country and had been under investigation for some time. On Saturday, the military said it had issued a warning to the prince over actions targeting “security and stability” in the key U.S. ally. Prince Hamza later said he was under house arrest. Several high-profile figures were detained. “The investigations had monitored interferences and communications with foreign parties over the right timing to destabilize Jordan,” Safadi said. These included a foreign intelligence agency contacting Prince Hamza’s wife to organize a plane for the couple to leave Jordan, he said. “Initial investigations showed these activities and movements had reached a stage that directly affected the security and stability of the country, but his majesty decided it was best to talk directly to Prince …