UK stands by Jordan against ‘cowardly’ terror attacks
The prime minister has said he is “shocked and saddened” by the news of the terrorist attacks in Jordan, which killed at least 57 people.
Tony Blair has written to King Abdullah in the wake of the three fatal explosions at hotels in the capital of Amman yesterday, expressing solidarity against the terrorists.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. We were deeply grateful for the support of the Jordanian government and people after the attacks in London in July. We stand together in this battle against the scourge of terrorism,” he said.
In an internet statement, al-Qaida in Iraq claimed responsibility for the attacks, which targeted the Grand Hyatt hotel, the Days Inn and the Radisson SAS hotel in almost simultaneous attacks.
The militant group’s leader, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, is originally from Jordan and claimed in the statement that “a group of our best lions” were behind the blasts, which also left hundreds injured.
“Some hotels were chosen which the Jordanian despot had turned into a backyard for the enemies of the faith, the Jews and crusaders,” the unverified message said.
Two teams from the British embassy in Amman have visited the sites of the explosions, and have so far received no reports of British casualties, according to foreign secretary Jack Straw.
In a statement, he said he was “sickened and horrified” at the news – which came as he was on a pre-planned visit to Jordan – and repeated Mr Blair’s expression of solidarity with the Jordanian people.
“The British people suffered an attack on an equally horrific scale on July 7th earlier this year. The Jordanian people stood by us then and we stand by the Jordanian people at this dreadful time,” he said.
“We are ready to offer any assistance that might help in bringing the people behind this to justice. We know that such cowardly acts inflict only death, pain and grief on the innocent. They serve no other purpose and should be condemned by all decent people.”
