Jordan gives full support to Iraqi PM

AMMAN, Jordan, June 13 (UPI) -- Jordan's King Abdullah II offered full support to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and promised to restore the Jordanian ambassador to Baghdad.

A bombing linked to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the late leader of al-Qaida in Iraq and a Jordanian national, rocked the Jordanian Embassy in Baghdad in 2003, killing 18 and prompting Amman to withdraw its dignitaries from Iraq.

Abdullah told the Iraqi premier the decision to name a new ambassador "reflected Amman's keenness on forging strong ties with Iraq."

Amman said it would name a new ambassador to Iraq soon, but cautioned it needed assurances from Baghdad the Jordanian mission there would be protected, the Saudi English-language daily newspaper ArabNews said Friday.

The monarch spoke with Maliki Thursday and promised Jordan's full support for the Iraqi effort to maintain security in the country.

"Jordan puts all its capabilities in support of the Iraqi government in its endeavors to maintain security and stability in Iraq and safeguard its unity and future," a royal statement read.