AMMAN, Jordan, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Jordan said Saturday suspected al-Qaida leader in Iraq, Abu Musab Zarqawi, was responsible for a triple suicide attack on three hotels in Amman.
Deputy Prime Minister Marwan Muasher told a news conference the Jordanian security authorities "are sure that Zarqawi is responsible for these blasts," adding that none of the three suicide bombers were Jordanians.
He refused to reveal their identities or nationalities.
Jordanian-born Zarqawi, who has a $25 million bounty on his head in the United States, claimed responsibility for the three attacks on the Grand Hyatt, Radisson SAS and Days Inn hotels Wednesday.
The bombings left 60 people dead and around 100 others injured, most of them Jordanians and Palestinians.
Muasher denied that a woman was among the suicide bombers, as al-Qaida in Iraq claimed in an Islamic website Friday. The group claimed that three men and one woman, wife of one of the attackers, had taken part in the triple attack.
The official said that a dismembered body found at the Radisson SAS belonged to a 15-year-old girl and is considered among the victims.
A security official told United Press International the security services believed the al-Qaida claim of a woman suicide attacker was aimed at trying to confuse the authorities in their investigations.
Muasher said the authorities continued to arrest suspects for questioning, while some of the 12 arrested on Thursday and Friday were released. He did not elaborate.
He added security on the kingdom's land borders with neighboring countries - Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia and the Palestinian territories - was beefed up with personnel and equipment.
He explained that "modern security equipment" has been installed in borders posts, hotels and large shopping centers around the country.
