As the Arab world began to react to news of a possible US attack on Iraq, Jordan attempted to deflect reports that a member of its royal family met with the Iraqi opposition and Iraq warned Iran. The London based, Saudi paper Asharq Al-Awsat reported on July 14, 2002 that the Jordanian government said yesterday that the participation of Prince Hassan, uncle of King Abdallah, in a meeting of former Iraqi Army officers and opponents of Saddam Hussein in London will not change Amman?s stand that opposes the planned US attack on Iraq. The paper added that Jordan described the prince?s participation in the meeting as ?a personal act.? Earlier, Prince Hassan said he was not in a position to comment on questions regarding the re-establishment of monarchy in Iraq. ?I am not a Jordanian government official,? he told reporters. According to the Israeli Haaretz, Hassan said: "Everyone may interpret this as they see fit." Jordan has launched a campaign to convince the world that it does not intend to give access to U.S. forces to use its country as a base for assaults on Iraq, and that American troops are not currently stationed within the country.
The Jordan Times, on the same day, commented that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's eldest son Uday had warned Iran against taking advantage of any US military assault on Baghdad to launch its own attack.
Sources note that Iraq fears Iran may attack southern Iraqi provinces dominated by Shiite Muslims if Washington launches a military offensive. Uday has blamed Iran for an assassination attempt on his life a few years ago. Gunmen attacked and severely wounded Uday in Baghdad on Dec. 12, 1996. Ties between Baghdad and Tehran had improved since they fought the disastrous 1980-88 war.
The Jordan Times, on the same day, commented that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's eldest son Uday had warned Iran against taking advantage of any US military assault on Baghdad to launch its own attack.
Sources note that Iraq fears Iran may attack southern Iraqi provinces dominated by Shiite Muslims if Washington launches a military offensive. Uday has blamed Iran for an assassination attempt on his life a few years ago. Gunmen attacked and severely wounded Uday in Baghdad on Dec. 12, 1996. Ties between Baghdad and Tehran had improved since they fought the disastrous 1980-88 war.