AMMAN, Jordan, April 26 (UPI) -- Jordan's Islamists questioned again Wednesday official claims that Hamas smuggled arms to Jordan as a prelude to attacking vital targets in the kingdom.
Zaki Bani Arshid, secretary-general of the Islamic Action Front, the political arm of Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood Organization, accused the Jordanian government of manipulating security in order to settle political accounts with Hamas.
"The confusion, hesitation and lack of interrelation of the official story makes it less credible and stirs skepticism," Bani Arshid said, stressing that "the new allegations further increased controversy (surrounding) the government's claims."
Government spokesman Nasser Jawdeh Tuesday declared that arms, including explosives and rockets, had been discovered in a warehouse in north Jordan following information revealed by a Hamas detainee during interrogation.
Jawdeh said Hamas planned to target vital installations in Jordan as well as Jordanian officials with guidance from the group leadership based in Damascus.
Hamas denied the accusations as "ridiculous."
Bani Arshid said "it is unacceptable that the Jordanian government manipulates security, stability and interest in order to settle political accounts through accusing others."
The Islamist leader was referring to the conflict between Jordan and Hamas that dates back to 1999, when Amman cracked down on the militant group and evicted its top leaders after accusing it of interfering in its domestic affairs.
The Muslim Brotherhood earlier accused the government of fabricating the story to find an excuse to call off a visit by the foreign minister of the Hamas-led Palestinian government, Mahmoud Zahhar, which was scheduled a day after the announcement of the accusations.
