Homeland Security

Jordanian Clan Disowns Terrorist Leader Zarqawi

By VOA News
20 November 2005

The prominent tribe of Jordanian-born terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has published a declaration disowning him.

In a half-page notice printed Sunday in Jordanian newspapers, 57 members of the al-Khalayleh family, including Zarqawi's brother and cousin, said they are severing all links to the fugitive "until doomsday."

The family also pledged strong allegiance to Jordan's King Abdullah, who Zarqawi threatened last week to kill.

The family statement was published two days after the al-Qaida in Iraq leader defended the November 9 bombings at three hotels in Amman that killed 59 people. He also warned of more attacks.

The family statement said anyone who carries out such attacks in Jordan is not Jordanian and has nothing to do with Jordan.

Some information for this report prepared by AP and AFP.