August 21, 2007	Tuesday	Sha’aban 7, 1428

AMMAN: Jordan on Monday ruled out any move to hand over Saddam Hussein’s eldest daughter Raghad, who is wanted by the Iraqi government on suspicion of terrorism. “Handing over Mrs Raghad Saddam Hussein has not been raised,” government spokesman Nasser Jawdeh told a press briefing.

“Her presence in Jordan is motivated by humanitarian considerations, and she does not practice any political or media-related activities.” Iraq on Saturday asked for Jordan’s cooperation to arrest Raghad after the international police organisation Interpol issued a wanted “Red Notice” against Saddam’s 38-year-old daughter.

“A judicial order was issued against Raghad a year ago by the Central Criminal Court accusing her of funding terrorism,” Iraqi interior ministry operations director Major General Abdel Karim Khalaf said. “Her arrest would depend on Jordanian authorities as she is staying in Amman and the order of Interpol binds on all countries who are associated with it.”

In July last year, after Iraq issued its warrant, Jordanian Prime Minister Maaruf Bakhit said Raghdad Hussein and her family were living under the protection of King Abdullah II.—AFP