Radisson hotel in Amman
Jordan's King Abdullah pledged today to "pull from their holes" militants behind three suicide bombings that ripped through luxury hotels in Jordan's capital and killed 56 people.
In one of worst attacks to hit Jordan in modern history, two suicide bombers turned crowded wedding parties into scenes of blood and panic at the Grand Hyatt and the nearby Radisson SAS in central Amman. A third attacker targeted a Days Inn hotel.
Al-Qaeda statement
"We will pursue those criminals and those who are behind them, and we will reach them wherever they are," the monarch said in a televised address one day after bombers staged the near-simultaneous attacks claimed by al-Qaeda group in Iraq.
"We will pull them from their holes and bring them to justice," a stern King Abdullah said, wearing a traditional Arab head-dress and a dark Western-style suit and tie in a brief message that appeared aimed at reassuring stunned Jordanians.
"We will confront these cowardly terrorist groups that have no religion or conscience." He did not mention any specific measures.
"The operation was executed by three suicide bombers who were wearing explosive belts. Two entered the hotels, the other blew himself up outside the hotel in a car," Deputy Prime Minister Marwan al-Muasher told reporters about the attacks.
He said the blasts killed 56 people and wounded 96.
Al-Qaeda in Iraq, led by Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, said in a statement on an Islamist website that "a group of our best lions" had carried out the attacks against the hotels because they were used by US and Israeli spies.
"Some hotels were chosen which the Jordanian despot had turned into a backyard for the enemies of the faith, the Jews and crusaders," said the statement, referring to Jordan's King Abdullah. Its authenticity could not be immediately verified.
The hotels are frequented by Western security contractors, journalists and aid agency staff, many of whom use Amman as a transit point or base for their operations in Iraq.
But most victims were Jordanians. China said three of its nationals were among those killed. A Palestinian diplomat said a senior Palestinian officer and two other officials had died.
Jordan is one of two Arab countries that have signed peace treaties with Israel. It helped the United States in the war on Iraq, where Zarqawi's group is part of an anti-US insurgency.
Jordan had so far been spared major attacks on foreigners despite its proximity to Iraq and popularity as a tourist destination, but the authorities had been braced for trouble.
Jordan closed its borders to try to stop suspects fleeing and a security official said scores of people had been arrested.
Deputy Prime Minister Marwan al-Muasher said most of the victims were Jordanians, but China said three of its citizens were among those killed. A Palestinian diplomat said a senior Palestinian officer and two other officials were among the dead.
President Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas were among world leaders who condemned the attacks. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan cancelled plans to visit Amman today.
A US official said Mr Bush spoke to King Abdullah and expressed his sympathies over the bombings at luxury hotels in the Jordanian capital.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern expressed his shock at the attacks that were "aimed at killing and maiming entirely innocent people.
"It cannot be said too often that such brutal and despicable actions are entirely unjustifiable in any circumstances."