Jordan stands by Saddam Hussein's daughter

AMMAN: Jordanian Prime Minister Maaruf Bakhit warned on Sunday that deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's daughter Raghad was under the royal family's protection after the US-backed Iraqi government named her as among its most wanted fugitives. "The presence of Mrs Raghad Saddam Hussein and her children in Jordan is motivated by humanitarian considerations," the premier told the official Petra news agency.       

"She is the guest of the Hashemite royal family (of King Abdullah II) and under its protection as a seeker of asylum" in accordance with Arab tradition, Bakhit added.    

He said that Raghdad had fulfilled the conditions of her asylum in the Key regional US ally by refraining from engaging in "any political or media activities."        

Since a formal reminder issued in 2004, Saddam's daughter has rarely abused her asylum in the Jordanian capital to issue statements to the press.   

The Jordanian premier insisted his government had yet to receive any formal extradition request for Raghdad from the Iraqi authorities.          

"Any such request will have to be made according to the procedures in force in Jordan and Jordan will handle any request it receives in the appropriate manner," he said.        

Raghad and her mother Sajida were named on a new list of 41 "most wanted" people accused of supporting the persistent Sunni Arab insurgency against the Shiite-led Iraqi government.     

Iraqi national security advisor Muwaffaq al-Rubaie told reporters in Baghdad Sunday that their extradition was being sought by his government.