AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — The head of an extremist
Jordanian Muslim Salafi group said early Tuesday
that he was "happy to see the horror in America"
after the explosions in Boston.
"American blood isn't more precious than Muslim
blood," said Mohammad al-Chalabi, who was
convicted in an al-Qaida-linked plot to attack
U.S. and other Western diplomatic missions in
Jordan in 2003.
"Let the Americans feel the pain we endured by
their armies occupying Iraq and Afghanistan and
killing our people there," he said early Tuesday.
Al-Chalabi served seven years in prison for his
part in the foiled attack. His group is outlawed
in Jordan.
A Mideast counterterrorism official based in
Jordan said the blasts "carry the hallmark of an
organized terrorist group, like al-Qaida." He did
not give actual evidence linking al-Qaida to the
bombing.
"From the little information available, one can
say it was a well-coordinated, well-targeted and
near-simultaneous attack," he said. "Luckily, the
amount of explosives used is small, judging from
the casualty figure and explosion area."
A Jordanian security official said security was
beefed up around the U.S. Embassy in Amman after
the bombing in Boston.
"As the unfortunate news unfolded, we immediately
stationed more police patrols around the embassy,"
he said. He declined to disclose any details,
citing the sensitive nature of the information.
Both officials insisted on anonymity, as they
were not authorized to brief reporters on security
matters.
