AMMAN, April 25: Jordan on Tuesday announced the arrest of members of the Hamas who it said received orders from a leader based in Syria to carry out attacks on officials in the Amman government.

The plot was in its final stages when it was foiled, government spokesman Nasser Jawdeh told reporters.

“Security forces foiled attacks against officials and strategic points in Jordan that were planned by elements of Hamas and which were in the final stages of execution,” he said.

“Jordanian security services, over a long period of time, shadowed attempts to bring in arms from a neighbouring country,” he said.

“Elements of Hamas” suspected of involvement were arrested and ‘an inquiry has shown that they received orders from a military leader of Hamas who is currently in Syria’, said the spokesman.

In Gaza City, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri denied the charges.

“We reject the Jordanian accusations which are false and groundless,” he said.

“The Jordanian government is taking part in an international campaign against the Palestinian people and Hamas,” he said. “This will not succeed in isolating or putting Hamas under siege.”—AFP