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Jordan unlikely to follow Saudis on Muslim Brotherhood

The tricky balance of power in Jordan may save the local Muslim Brotherhood chapter from a fate similar to that of its counterparts in Egypt and the Gulf.
Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood protesters make the 'four-fingered salute' during a protest against the Egyptian Defense Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sissi as they mark the third anniversary of the revolution, in front of the Egyptian embassy in Amman January 25, 2014. REUTERS/Majed Jaber (JORDAN - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTX17U9J

Jordan will not follow in the footsteps of Saudi Arabia and Egypt by banning the activities of the Muslim Brotherhood or labeling the group a terrorist organization. But the recent Saudi decision has added to the movement’s political isolation in Jordan, a situation that many believe is of its own making.

It took Jordan a few days to react to the sudden Saudi development. Minister of Political Affairs Khaled al-Kalaldeh told a local news website, “The Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan is a licensed group, and we will deal with it in accordance with the law.” He said the Saudi decision is an internal issue and Jordan does not interfere in the affairs of others.

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