Reports received here today from Cairo revealed the announcement of formation of a secret Arab revolutionary council aimed at overthrowing King Hussein of Jordan and igniting an Arab war against Israel.
Ahmed Shukairy, head of the so-called Palestine Liberation Army, announced formation of the new group. He said it would be made up of activists both inside and outside of Jordan and will “undertake the preparation of the people to wage a battle for the liberation of Palestine with the Palestine Liberation Army in the vanguard.”
Shukairy charged that Hussein, to preserve his throne, obstructed and persecuted commandos seeking to attack Israel. The new revolutionary council will replace the Palestine Liberation’ Organization’s 11-member executive committee. The identity of its members will be kept secret. An appeal was made for cooperation by the Jordanian army.
From other quarters in Cairo came charges that King Hussein met secretly with King Faisal of Saudi Arabia at Aqaba on Dec. 23 to agree on a secret multi-million dollar aid agreement with England. Cairo reports said the kings feared the rising tide of Arab leftist revolution and decided to cooperate to preserve their thrones and prevent the stationing of other Arab forces in Jordan.
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