The Jordanian government has reiterated its conditions for Hamas leaders wishing to return to Amman, imposing new stipulations for such leaders that would require their renunciation of all affiliation with Hamas as a condition for retaining Jordanian citizenship upon return.
Several Jordanian politicians and parliament members recently attempted to reopen the files on four Jordanian Hamas members who had been deported from Jordan in September 1990.
Prominent Hamas leader Khaled Mashal was apparently among the four in question, according to Al Hayat. He, along with three others, are assumed to have traveled in secret on a regular basis between Damascus, Beirut and Doha following their deportation, with Israeli intelligence believed to be on their trail.
Hamas representatives will likely plan to open a branch office in Amman in the future in anticipation of their closure in Damascus as international pressure on Syria to curb such groups increases.
Some months ago, several representatives of the Muslim Brotherhood reportedly requested from Jordanian King Abdullah II to approve the return of such Hamas leaders to Amman. No response, however, has been received from the king thus far.
