Jordan denies reports of attacks on King
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.King Abdullah II was met by either tossed bottles and stones, or a warm welcome, on a visit to Jordan's south yesterday, according to conflicting reports from government officials.
A security official said a crowd of youths flung objects at the monarch's motorcade in two incidents in the town of Tafila, 125 miles south of Amman, just a day after Abdullah bowed to popular demands for an elected prime minister. This official, insisting on anonymity because he is not authorised to discuss royal matters, said the King was unharmed.
Government spokesman Taher Edwan later called the report "totally baseless".
"There was no attack whatsoever with empty bottles and stones," he said. "What happened is that a group of young Jordanians thronged the monarch's motorcade to shake hands with him." He said when police "pushed them away, there was a lot of shoving".
It wasn't immediately possible to reconcile the two versions, and further details of any attack were not immediately available.
Abdullah was on a fact-finding trip to inspect infrastructure projects and hear his subjects' demands.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments