BEIRUT: Jordan’s King Abdullah II has intervened in the case involving his outspoken half brother, who is accused of a plot to destabilise the kingdom, and the former heir to the throne has agreed to abide by the traditions of the family that rules the key Western ally, a palace statement said on Monday.

There was no independent word from Prince Hamzah himself, who in an audio recording released earlier said he would continue to defy government threats ordering him to stay at home and refrain from public statements.

The palace said Abdullah asked his paternal uncle, Prince Hassan, to deal with Hamzah, and that the two have been in contact. According to a tweet from the royal household, Hamzah confirmed his commitment to the approach of the Hashemite family and its traditions.

Former heir to the throne agrees to abide by traditions

The recording by Hamzah was part of a palace intrigue that erupted over the weekend in Jordan, seen by the West as a stable ally in the volatile region. The kingdom borders Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Israel and the occupied West Bank.

The prince said he was ordered confined at home and to refrain from speaking out.

Jordanian authorities said on Sunday they had foiled the malicious plot by Hamzah with foreign help. Hamzah has denied any role and says he is being targeted for speaking out against corruption and poor governance.

The recording, which circulated online, indicates that tensions were high between the king and Hamzah, a former crown prince. The United States has sided with Abdullah.

“The army chief of staff came to me and issued threats in the name of heads of security agencies, Hamzah said in the recording. I recorded his comments and distributed them to my acquaintances abroad as well as my family in case something happens,” he said.

Published in Dawn, April 6th, 2021