Zarqawi Suspected in Jordan Bombings

Jordanian-born Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, whose real name is Ahmed Fadhil al-Khalayleh, for years has sought the overthrow of Jordan's ruling Hashemite monarchy, which he wants replaced with an Islamic state. The terrorist has twice been sentenced to death in absentia by Jordanian courts, and was indicted last year for complicity in a plot to use chemical weapons against targets in Amman, including the U.S. embassy.

Centcom Zarqawi Wanted Poster

Reuters AlertNet reports that Zarqawi had served three years of a fifteen year sentence when King Abdullah granted an (evidently unappreciated) amnesty upon his assumption of the throne in 1999.

Update:Haaretz reports that Israeli nationals were evacuated from the Radisson Hotel by Jordanian security forces shortly before the attacks due to a security alert.