PLOT BY REBELS

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28254, 16 April 1957, Page 13

PLOT BY REBELS

Young King’s Swift Move (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, April 15. A plot to seize control of the Jordan Army and overthrow the 21-year-old King Hussein has been crushed by loyal members of the Arab Legion, London newspapers reported today. King Hussein first arrested and then banished the leader of the rebels—Major-General Ali Abou Nuwar, army chief of staff, who a year ago succeeded Glubb Pasha as the legion’s leader. General Nuwar is now in Syria. But claims from the King’s Palace that order had been restored were followed by reports early today of new clashes between loyal and rebel units of the Army at Aldoun in northern Jordan. The plot to overthrow the King was discovered in the army ranks, the “Daily Mail’’ correspondent in Beirut reported today. Loyal Bedouin officers told King Hussein. He called General Nuwar to the Palace and put him under house arrest. Meanwhile rumours of the plot seeped through to the army camp at Zarka 17 miles north of Amman. Fighting broke out between pro-Hussein and pro-Nuwar factions. Three Killed, 10 Wounded Troops broke into ammunition stores taking guns and ammunition, and are reported to have opened fire, the “Daily Mail’’ correspondent said. Three are believed to have been killed and 10 wounded. King Hussein himself drove to Zarka, and assured loyal officers that he was safe and still King. His action ended the revolt, the correspondent said. In General Nuwar’s place the King appointed Major-General Ali Hayyari, one of Sir John Glubb’s proteges, and a staunch supporter of Britain and the West. General Nuwar’s associate, Mr Suleiman Nabulsi, the Left-wing and pro-Nasser leader, whom the King dismissed as Prime Minister last Wednesday, was placed under house arrest. According to the “Daily Telegraph’’ a number of Nabulsi supporters in the Jordan Parliament have gone over the frontier into Syria. Message From Iraq It now seems possible that King Hussein will order out of Jordan the Syrian troops who have been stationed there since last October, the. “Daily Mail” correspondent in Jerusalem said today. He may feel strong enough to do this as a result of a message he has received from his 21-year-old cousin, King Feisal of Iraq. This message is reported to contain an assurance that King Hussein could count on the support of Iraqi troops if he felt himself the victim of Syrian aggression, the “Daily Mail’’ correspondent said. The danger to King Hussein is a move to thrust Jordan into federal union with Nasser’s Egypt and pro-Soviet Syria, the “Daily Express” correspondent in Ammansaid today. In such a link-up there would be scant room for a king. Although King Hussein has undoubtedly gained the upper hand for the moment there is no certainty among diplomatic observers in Beirut that the test of strength in the country is finally ended, the British United Press correspondent in Beirut said. The situation is still confused. Some reports say that anti-King factions have seized the radio station at Ramallah. Amman Radio went off the air last night, the correspondent added. Various committees throughout the country are reported to have called for general strikes today. The Army remains the key to the situation.' If—as yesterday’s events would seem to indicate—it remains loyal to the King, it is possible that the situation may be stabilised. Reports reaching Beirut said that huge crowds demonstrated in the Jordan-held sector of Jerusalem, in Nablus, and in Ramallah shouting “Down with the King’’ and demanding the return of the National Front Government, led by Mr Nabulsi.