Jordan’s King Abdullah, Prince Hamza Make First Joint Appearance since Reconciliation

By Staff, Agencies

Jordan's King Abdullah II on Sunday appeared in public alongside his half-brother Prince Hamzah in their first joint appearance since a palace crisis involving the prince rocked the kingdom, resolving in an apparent reconciliation.

Jordan's state TV circulated images showing a group of Hashemite royals at a mausoleum where their ancestors are buried, attending a ceremony marking 100 years of independence.

Hamza pledged allegiance to King Abdullah on Monday following mediation by members of the royal family, two days after the military warned him over actions that it said were undermining Jordan’s security and stability.

Jordanian security force arrested some 20 individuals in connection with the incident, which has quickly mushroomed into an international scandal.

On Wednesday, Abdullah said sedition had been quashed and Hamza was “under my care” with his family at his palace.

However, Hamza’s absence after he appeared in a video sent to the BBC on April 3, saying he had been ordered to stay at home, had led to speculation about his whereabouts.

Jordan has subsequently slapped a gag order on reporting about the investigation into the attempted coup.