Prince Hamzeh not arrested — army

•  State Department says His Majesty King Abdullah 'key partner' of US
•  Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and GCC voice full support for King, Crown Prince in efforts to safeguard Kingdom’s safety, security

AMMAN — Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj. Gen. Yousef Huneiti on Saturday night denied reports that HRH Prince Hamzeh had been arrested but said the prince was asked to “cease all activities or movements exploited to target Jordan's security and stability” as part of comprehensive investigations conducted by security authorities.

He said Sharif Hassan Bin Zeid and former minister Bassem Awadallah, and others, were arrested as part of it.

The army chief added that investigations are ongoing and that results will be revealed in “a transparent and clear manner”, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The procedures that have been taken are in line with the law and came after thorough investigations, Huneiti said.

He stressed that “no one is above the law and that Jordan's stability and security are above all considerations”.

Earlier in the day, a security source said that Sharif Hassan Bin Zeid and former minister Bassem Awadallah, among others, were arrested for “security reasons” .

Investigations are underway into the issue, Petra, reported.

The US State Department said that His Majesty King Abdullah is a “key partner” of the US.

In a statement made available to The Jordan Times, State Department Spokesman Ned Price said: “We are closely following the reports and in touch with Jordanian officials. King Abdullah is a key partner of the United States, and he has our full support.”

Saudi Arabia on Saturday said that it is standing by Jordan, stressing full support for all measures and decisions taken by His Majesty King Abdullah and HRH Crown Prince Hussein to maintain security and stability. 

A statement issued by the Saudi Royal Court highlighted the two kingdoms deep-rooted ties, stressing that Jordan’s security is an integral part of Saudi Arabia’s security, according to Petra. 

Saudi Arabia also expressed wishes that Jordan keep enjoying security and stability under the leadership of King Abdullah and Crown Prince Hussein.

Egypt also voiced its full support and solidarity with Jordan and King Abdullah to maintain the country’s stability and security against any attempts that seek to destabilise the country, the Middle East News Agency reported,

Egypt said Jordan’s security is “part and parcel” of Egypt’s security and pan-Arab security, the Middle East News Agency reported, citing Spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency Bassam Essam Rady.

Bahrain King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa on Saturday voiced full support for all decisions and measures made by King Abdullah to preserve Jordan’s security and stability, highlighting the two kingdoms’ deep-rooted relations and “common destiny”, Bahrain News Agency reported

King Hamad also affirmed that Jordan’s security is an integral part of Bahrain’s security, expressing wishes to maintain Jordan’s security and stability under the leadership of King Abdullah, BNA reported.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) also voiced support. In a GCC statement, the bloc’s Secretary General Nayef Falah Mubarak Al Hajraf stressed that the GCC stands with Jordan and supports all measures it takes to maintain its security and stability.

Hajraf stressed that the security of Jordan is part of the GCC states’ security.

He affirmed the full support of the GCC for all decisions and measures taken by King Abdullah to preserve the security and stability of Jordan, wishing Jordan continued security and stability under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah and Crown Prince Hussein, the statement said.