BICOM

Jordan’s king will host Damascus-based Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal this weekend, Jordan’s information minister said yesterday. Hamas officials also confirmed the visit would take place, adding that Meshaal would be accompanied by Qatari crown prince Tamim bin Hamad al Thani who mediated talks between Hamas and Jordan.

This will be Meshaal’s first official visit to Jordan since his expulsion from the Hashemite Kingdom 13 years ago, when King Hussein closed the movement’s offices in Amman and expelled its leadership. However, it is still unclear whether Meshaal will be permitted to reside in Jordan or move his headquarters to Amman from Damascus.

The visit is seen as part of Jordan’s effort to seek a more active role in Mideast diplomacy and to engage with previously shunned Islamists, who have been on the ascend following uprisings that toppled dictators in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya. Islamists groups make up the most influential opposition in Jordan and have been gaining strength in recent months.

Earlier this month, Jordan began hosting meetings between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators to try and restart direct peace talks. The re-establishment of a direct connection between Hamas and Jordan could also give Amman a greater role in reconciling the rival Palestinian factions, Hamas and Fatah.