The Iraqi deputy prime minister, Tariq Aziz, has criticised Crown Prince Hassan of Jordan over his failure to condemn the American-led bombing of Iraq.

In a speech to the Arab Parliamentary Union on Sunday, Prince Hassan said Jordan wanted the Iraqi people to enjoy freedom, democracy and other human rights.

Writing in the official Iraqi newspaper, al-Thawra, today, Mr Aziz said the prince, along with other Jordanian officials, made the mistake of believing that he was a guardian of the Iraqi people.

Mr Aziz made a similar attack on the Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak, yesterday.