King Hussein, for the first time since he assumed his reign over Jordan in 1953, is seriously considering abdication, the Jerusalem Post’s Arab affairs expert reported today. The writer said that sources close to the Royal Palace in Amman indicated that the King was persuaded by President Gamal Abdel Nasser, of Egypt, to postpone his decision while Nasser tries to arrange a settlement of Jordan’s internal crisis. Hussein, the grandson of assassinated King Abdullah of Jordan, narrowly escaped two attempts on his life in June and in August. He is said to have decided to quit the throne after last week’s fierce clashes between his armed forces and Palestinian guerrillas. A split has developed in his Army over the presence of guerrillas and Iraqi troops who support them in areas of the Jordanian capital, the Post correspondent reported. Hussein has reportedly lost control over large areas of his country outside of Amman and lacks the authority to make any diplomatic moves without the approval of guerrilla organizations which are fighting among themselves. Most observers say the guerrillas could have deposed Hussein months ago but didn’t want the responsibility of running the country. President Nasser is said to fear increasing chaos and civil war in Jordan should King Hussein leave the throne. He is reportedly working for the integration of all commando groups in Jordan so that they can be represented in the Jordanian Government and give it a degree of stability, the Post writer said.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
