King Abdullah pained at developments; Islamist party wants ties with Israel cut

While Jordan's King Abdullah II condemned the assassination of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, the country's Islamist party called for an immediate severance of diplomatic relations with Israel.

"The continuation of (having) relations (with Israel) is a crime," Hamza Mansour, Secretary-General of the Islamic Action Front (IAF), the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan, told Gulf News. "The continuation of (these) relations is a departure from the principles and interests and it should not continue even for one second."

He added: "This organised crime that the terrorist (Israeli Prime Minister) Sharon has carried out, has shaken each live cell in the body of this nation."

Mansour described Sheikh Yassin as the "sheikh of the Mujahed-een" (the leader of holy war freedom fighters) and said his "martyrdom was like an earthquake not only in the Palestinian arena but also on the Arab and Muslim arena."

Mohammed Abu Hadeeb, head of the Arab and International relations committee at the Jordanian Parliament, said the assassination of handicapped Yassin is a "clear indication of the criminal thinking of Sharon and his ruling group".

Speaking to Gulf News, Abu Hadeeb described Yassin as a symbol to the Palestinian people, and to their struggle, and said: "His assassination widely opened the doors of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict... and nobody can predict what will happen in Palestine in the coming few days."

In a statement carried by the Jordanian official news agency, Petra, King Abdullah said: "We are disappointed and pained by the new developments, despite the relentless efforts that we have exerted with all parties, including the Israeli government to prevent it from continuing the policy of military escalation."

While King Abdullah called the Israeli government to stop its escalation and the policy of assassination, he affirmed that security and stability will not be achieved unless Israel withdraws from the Palestinians lands, return to the negotiating table and abide by the principles of just and comprehensive peace.

Jordan's Prime minister Faisal Al Fayez described, in his condemnation to the assassination of Sheikh Yassen, the killing as an "ugly crime" that will lead to more bloodshed and "undermine opportunities to achieve just and comprehensive peace that the region's people seek to achieve".

Al Fayez also described it as a "crime added to other crimes committed by Israeli against the Palestinian people, and forms a flagrant violation of all charters and norms."

In his statement, the Jordanian premier called on Israeli troops immediate withdrawal from the occupied lands, and to stop the continuous killing of the Palestinians.

"Jordan will continue its contacts with all concerned parties to stop the Israeli violations, put an end to occupation and protect the Palestinian people until their legitimate rights are achieved," Al Fayez added.