Bush: Jordan bombers defile Islam

US President George Bush today condemned the hotel bombings in Jordan, saying the attackers defiled Islam and the United States would help bring those responsible to justice.

“The killings should remind all of us that there is an enemy in this world that is willing to kill innocent people, willing to bomb a wedding celebration in order to advance their cause,” Bush said in the Oval Office during a meeting with President Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen, an ally of the US in the war on terror.

“For those of us who love freedom and for those of us who respect every human life, no matter whether you’re from the west or from your neighbourhood, Mr President, we have an obligation and a duty to remain strong and to remain firm and to bring these people to justice,” Bush said.

In an internet statement whose authenticity could not immediately be verified, al-Qaida in Iraq linked the blasts at the Grand Hyatt, the Radisson SAS and the Days Inn hotels to the war in Iraq and called Amman the “backyard garden” for US operations.

The hotels, frequented by Israelis and Americans among other foreign guests, have long been on al-Qaida’s hit list.

“Today, the world saw with horror the attacks on innocent people in Jordan by killers who defile a great religion,” Bush said.

At least one American was among the 56 people killed in the Amman hotel bombings, a US Embassy official said today.

The official said yesterday’s triple bombings also wounded at least two Americans.

The official said the victim’s name and hometown were being withheld until family was notified.

The State Department said two Americans were taken to hospital, one of them seriously injured.

President Bush also called King Abdullah II to express the United States’ condolences for the injuries and loss of life in the nearly simultaneous suicide attacks that also wounded more than 115 people.

Bush told Abdullah that he strongly supports his leadership and that the United States will stand with Jordan.

“Both leaders agreed that it’s important to reiterate to the world that the terrorists cannot shake our will and our determination to defeat their hateful, murderous ideology,” White House press secretary Scott McClellan said.