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Jordanian Gunman Arrested In Amman


September 4, 2006 -- Jordanian police say they have arrested a man after a attack on Western tourists in the heart of the capital Amman today, which killed a Briton and wounded six others.

Police identified the attacker as Nabil Ahmad Issa Ja'ura, a Palestinian from Zarqa, the hometown of slain Al-Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi.

Prime Minister Ma'ruf al-Bakhit, speaking to journalists after visiting the wounded in hospital, said Ja'ura has a "police record" but did not elaborate.

Al-Bakhit also said that the shooting was a "big attack against Jordan's security and on Jordanian values and morals. This action is not part of our ethics and hospitality for visitors. This is a cowardly act. Jordan has been targeted because it is fighting terror, but this will not stop us from continuing our fight against terror and confronting the imported ideologies that are invading our Islamic values and Jordanian society."

Five holidaymakers and a policeman were wounded in what officials called a terrorist attack.

Jordanian officials are investigating the gunman's motives.

(AFP, dpa)

Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi

Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi

Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi(undated AFP file photo)

COMMITTED TO TERROR: Jordan-born Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi has been among the most visible and ruthless leaders of Iraq's post-Saddam Hussein insurgency. In a tape released earlier this month, al-Zaqawi called on Iraqi Sunnis to fight against Shi'a and labeled Shi'ite spiritual leader Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani an "atheist."
Insurgents loyal to Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi's Al-Qaeda-affiliated organization have regained control over much of Al-Anbar Governorate, and are posing a major challenge to U.S. and Iraqi forces. A local security force established by tribesmen under an agreement with the U.S. military has all but ceased operating, after nearly a dozen tribal leaders were assassinated in revenge attacks by insurgents loyal to al-Zarqawi's Mujahedin Shura Council since January. Local tribal leaders now say they are afraid to be seen associating with U.S. forces, lest they be targeted by insurgents....(more)


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THE COMPLETE PICTURE: Click on the image to see RFE/RL's complete coverage of events in Iraq and that country's ongoing transition.

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