Would-be bomber's brothers killed in Iraq
(AP)
Updated: 2005-11-15 22:57

The draft law, which will likely be ready for parliament debate early next year, will let Jordanian authorities hold any suspect for questioning indefinitely, the official said on condition of anonymity because he was unauthorized to speak to the media.

While Jordanian security forces already wield far-reaching powers to arrest and hold suspects, the proposed laws will be the country's first specifically designed to counter terrorism and further strengthen the government's control over security-related matters.

The new anti-terror law will propose issuing penalties on "those who would expose the lives and properties of citizens to danger inside and outside the country."

Anyone condoning or justifying terror actions or supporting them financially will also face penalties under the proposed law, the official added.

The two other targeted hotels — the Grand Hyatt and Days Inn — were bombed by Iraqis Safaa Mohammed Ali and Rawad Jassem Mohammed, both 23, Jordan officials said.

The U.S. military command in Iraq said American troops had detained an Iraqi of the same name as one of the bombers, Safaa Mohammed Ali, during operations in Fallujah in November 2004, but released him after two weeks because there was no "compelling evidence" that he posed a security threat.

The American military could not confirm that the man it arrested was among the three Amman hotel bombers.

Police believe al-Rishawi may provide vital clues to al-Qaida in Iraq and possibly al-Zarqawi's whereabouts. Authorities also believe more people helped arrange the attacks, but it was unclear if they were among 12 suspects under arrest.