Jordan enacts new anti-terror law

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AMMAN, Jordan, May 29 (UPI) -- The Jordanian government endorsed a new law for combating terrorism which hit hard the desert kingdom last November when hotels bombings killed 60 people.

An official source said Monday the draft law was ratified Sunday night at a cabinet meeting, but disclosed no details about the law which opposition and Islamic forces had slammed before it even saw the light.

Following the hotel bombings perpetrated by Iraqi suicide bombers, the government said it will draft a new anti-terrorism law which will indict in addition to the perpetrators, those who support their activities and advocates of violence and Muslim extremism.

The opposition rejected the government plan expressing fears the country will be transformed into a police state and stressing that the 2001 criminal law included clauses about combating terrorism which ends the need to enact a new law over that issue.

In another development, Jordan's Islamists warned that foiling the political programs of moderate Islamic movements in the region will further boost and invigorate extremism.

Secretary General of the Islamic Action Front, the political arm of Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood Organization, Zaki Bani Ashid said "continuation of repression of people's choices will lead to atmospheres where extremism can thrive replacing the moderate Islamic groups."

He noted that the siege imposed on the Palestinians over their democratic choice in favor of Hamas movement at last January's general elections which allowed the Islamic militant group to form the new Palestinian government is an example of fuelling extremism at the expense of moderation.

An international siege was imposed on the Palestinian territories for Hamas's refusal to adopt a political program for recognizing Israel and seeking a political settlement.