Jordanian Opposition Criticize Purchase of Shares by King Abdullah II

The Jordanian king will be the second trading partner of Prince Walid bin Talal Al Saud, after the purchase of Rotana Group’s shares.

Laith Shubeilat Photo: YouTube

(SALEM, Ore.) - Prominent Jordanian Islamist politician, Laith Shubailat's recent remarks criticizing Jordan's King Abdullah II brought strong reactions and criticism.

Shubailat, considered to be one of the most prominent opposition leaders in Jordan, delivered harsh criticism against the Jordanian King through his personal account on Facebook.

"The prices of food products rose 15 percent in conjunction with the chaos within (the) Interior Ministry of Jordan, in particular the escalation of hostile statements that address the parties and political activists in the country, which raises many questions about the reasons for the purchase of 27 percent of Rotana Group shares, while Jordan is witnessing bitter days due to lack of attention to the internal situation." Shubailat continued, "Is buying Walid bin Talal company’s share a solution for economic crises, most notably inflation and unemployment in Jordan? What are the interests of the people of Jordan from the allocation of government budgets for Rotana Group, which targeted repeatedly in the past years, Jordanian’s morality and religion?

"It seem that the romantic love stories in the Jordanian royal court that decides the fate of the people instead of the interests of Jordan."

Shubailat also made reference to the sexual scandal of the Jordanian king and the daughter of former Lebanese Prime Minister, Hind Hariri, along with the close ties that bind the Hariri family with Prince Walid bin Talal Al Saud. Shubailat's comments came after accusations against Jordanian King in early 2010 over his reported sexual relationship with Hind Hariri.

Sources within the Royal Hashemite Court reported news of the Jordanian king’s separation from Queen Rania and the continuation of his affair despite the efforts of Princess Aisha, the sister of King Abdullah II. The Jordanian king will be the second trading partner of Prince Walid bin Talal Al Saud, after the purchase of Rotana Group’s shares.