WORLD IN BRIEF : JORDAN : Crackdown Aimed at Extremist Plot

The Jordanian government, challenged by vocal opposition to its support for peace talks with Israel, has cracked down on Muslim extremists it says are plotting to rally Jordanians under the slogan of “Holy War for Palestine.” A government spokesman said police had uncovered a Muslim fundamentalist conspiracy to destabilize the country by planting bombs, attacking police officers and assassinating officials. He said police had arrested more than 60 extremists and seized an arsenal of weapons. The official statement on the underground organization reflected growing tensions between King Hussein and the Muslim Brotherhood movement.