Jordan: Role in Afghanistan to help Muslims

AMMAN, Jordan — Jordan says its peacekeeping mission to Afghanistan is meant to help fellow Muslims rather than the American military, in response to opposition criticism.

Government spokesman Ayman Safadi on Monday condemned Jordan's powerful Islamic opposition for accusing the government of "apostasy" for helping U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

Safadi said a religious edict by the Islamic Action Front on Sunday "harmed" Jordan's humanitarian and peacekeeping effort.

He asserted that Jordan will continue to help other Muslims.

Jordan says it has only 300 peacekeepers in Afghanistan. But a bombing attack that killed a Jordanian double agent in Afghanistan's eastern province last January revealed the presence of its intelligence officers there as well. (AP)