Jordan reorganizes intel agencies amid multiple threats
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SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
AMMAN — Jordan has reshuffled its intelligence community.
Abdullah replaced his intelligence chief, Saad Khair, who served in the
post since 2000. Khair was replaced by Gen. Samih Asfura, Middle East Newsline reported.
The king then ordered Khair, appointed to field marshal, to create a
national security agency. Under the reshuffle, Khair would retain his post
as the king's security adviser.
Jordan has encountered threats from Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, the Palestinian
Authority and Syria. In April 2004, Jordan was said to have foiled a plot by
Abu Mussib Al Zarqawi to blow up Jordan's intelligence headquarters in Amman
with chemical weapons.
Officials said the national security agency would coordinate all
intelligence and security bodies. They would include domestic security,
police and special forces.
Asfura has been a veteran of the General Intelligence Department,
responsible for domestic security. His last post was as assistant to Khair.
The new intelligence chief also served as head of a special military
court that found former intelligence chief Samih Batikhi guilty of fraud
and embezzlement. In 2003, Batikhi was sentenced to four years in jail.
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