Al-Qaida claims Jordan suicide blasts
(AP)
Updated: 2005-11-10 21:31

In the attacks, the suicide bombers detonated explosives at the Grand Hyatt, Radisson SAS and Days Inn hotels just before 9 p.m. One of the explosions took place inside a hall where 300 guests were celebrating a wedding.

The dead and wounded were mainly Jordanians. Other victims included three Chinese, all from China's elite military training university, and four Palestinians, including two top security officials.

Until late Wednesday, Amman — a comfortable, hilly city of white stone villas and glitzy high-rises — had mostly avoided large-scale attacks and was a welcome sanctuary of stability in a troubled region.

Al-Zarqawi is most known for the string of devastating suicide attacks launched in Iraq, often against U.S. targets but also against Shiite Iraqis. He has shown a flair for propaganda and has drawn wide support among militants in the region.