Jordan, Lebanon refuse visa to Hamas leader

Jordan and Lebanon have refused permission for Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, the leader of the Palestinian movement Hamas, to visit their countries.

A Jordanian government spokesman said it had been given insufficient notice of the visit.

But Hamas said the Jordanian authorities had initially approved the visit and had changed their minds.

The Lebanese authorities said they could not grant a visa to Sheikh Yassin because he carried a Palestinian passport issued under an agreement with Israel.

Hamas is strongly opposed to the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians.

Earlier this month, South Africa denied Sheikh Yassin a visa after the Palestinian Authority expressed reservations about his proposed visit.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service