Jordan's Prince Hamzah Says He'll Defy Orders to Stay Silent

BEIRUT - Jordan’s Prince Hamzah said in a recording released Monday that he will defy government threats ordering him to stay at home and refrain from public statements following accusations he was behind a plot to destabilize the kingdom led by his half brother, King Abdullah II.   The recording, which circulated online, indicates that tensions remain high between the king and Hamzah, a former heir to the throne.   The United States has sided with Abdullah, a close Western ally in a volatile region. Jordan borders Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Israel and the occupied West Bank.   Jordanian authorities said Sunday they had foiled the “malicious plot” by Hamzah with foreign help. Hamzah has denied any role and says he is being targeted for speaking out against corruption and poor governance.

  “The army chief of staff came to me and issued threats in the name of heads of security agencies,” Hamzah said in the recording. “I recorded his comments and distributed them to my acquaintances abroad as well as my family in case something happens.”   “I don’t want to escalate now, but of course I will not abide when he tells me ‘you are not allowed to go out, tweet or connect with people and you are only allowed to see family members,’” he said. “When an army chief of staff says that, this is something that I think is unacceptable.”   The authenticity of the recording was confirmed by an individual close to the prince, speaking on condition of anonymity because of security concerns. The individual said the recording is a few days old and was made after the army chief threatened the prince.   Jordan’s army chief of staff, Gen. Yousef Huneiti, said Monday the country’s armed forces and security agencies “have the power and experience” to deal with any developments that might happen internally or in the region.   He made his comments while taking part in “Shield of the Nation,” a drill that included several brigades, special forces, border guards and the Royal Air Force in the eastern region of the kingdom, the state news agency Petra said.   The exercise did not appear to be related to the weekend incidents because such drills are planned well in advance.   Huneiti said the troops will confront anyone who “tries to endanger the nation’s security, terrify its citizens and threatens the security and stability of the kingdom.”