King Hussein loses fight against cancer

CAIRO, Feb 5: King Hussein, the ruler of Jordan for 47 years and a voice of moderation in the Middle East who acted as a bridge between t...

CAIRO, Feb 5: King Hussein, the ruler of Jordan for 47 years and a voice of moderation in the Middle East who acted as a bridge between the Palestinians and Israel and survived several assassination attempts, is clinically dead after battling cancer for nearly a year.

8220;He is clinically dead, but he is still on life support system8221; which is likely to be switched off any time, television networks quoting officials in Amman reported.

The 63-year-old Hussein was flown back to Amman from the US after bone marrow transplants to cure a rare form of cancer failed and was straightaway away taken to the Hussein Military Hospital by helicopter in a critical condition.

The mood in Jordan was described as 8220;sombre8221; as a hospital statement said his condition 8220;was critical following a failure of internal organs.8221;

King Hussein fought a recurring Non-Hogdkin8217;s lymphoma cancer to return to Amman last month to proclaim his son Abdullah the crown prince sacking in a surprise move, his brother Prince Hassan, who hadbeen crown prince for 35 years.

The crown prince and the heir to the crown, Abdullah, 37, his American-born wife Noor, and other close relatives were with the king at the hospital. Prince Hassan, former crown prince, was also at the hospital.

Seen as a moderate leader, the king helped bridge differences between the Palestinians and Israelis and played an important role in the signing of the Wye peace accord last year in the United States.

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Jordan is the second Arab country to have signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1994 after Egypt. The king had been undergoing chemotherapy at Mayo Clinic since January 26. Eleven days ago he returned home to a joyous welcome, removed his brother Hassan and named his son his heir apparent.

A few days later, he suffered a relapse and was rushed back to Mayo Clinic where he underwent an unsuccessful bone marrow transplant.

King Hussein was born on November 14, 1935, and is a descendant of Hashem, the great-grandfather of Prophet Mohammed. He played a pivotal role inMiddle East politics and survived many assassination attempts.

In Washington, US President Bill Clinton described the king as a 8220;wonderful human being, a champion of peace8221; at a prayer breakfast yesterday and asked the gathering to pray for the monarch.

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Hussein had insisted that he be taken to Jordan before he breathed his last. An unnamed Jordanian minister was quoted as saying that the king wished to die in his own country.

Hussein has ruled Jordan since 1952 and steered his once poor country on the firm path of progress.