World Tribune.com

Home Systems: Great Deals from Dell

Jordan's counterterror chief survives assassination attempt

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Thursday, February 28, 2002

AMMAN Ñ Jordan's counterterrorist chief has escaped an assassination plot.

A bomb exploded outside the home of Ali Burjak, head of counterterrorism at Jordan's General Intelligence Directorate. Burjak was not injured but two laborers were killed in Thursday's attack.

Details of the bombing remain sketchy. Jordanian sources first reported that one of the laborers was carrying the bomb. Later, the bombing was said to have stemmed from a car parked outside Burjak's home in the neighborhood of Jabal Amman. The car belonged to Burjak's wife.

Earlier this month, Jordan's intelligence service was reported to have arrested and interrogated dozens of suspects linked to the Al Qaida movement. One of the suspects was convicted and sentenced to death.

No group claimed responsibility for the bombing. The bombing came hours after senior Jordanian officials met their Israeli counterparts in both Amman and Aqaba.

Jordan has been named as a key participant in the U.S.-led war against terrorism. Jordanian troops have been deployed in Afghanistan and U.S. officials report a brisk intelligence exchange between Amman and Washington.

Print this Article Print this Article Email this article Email this article Subscribe to this Feature Free Headline Alerts