Hamas denies Jordan attacks plot

He told the BBC Arabic Service that Hamas - which now runs the Palestinian government - was not interested in destabilising any Arab country.

Jordanian state television on Thursday showed three suspected Hamas activists confessing to the alleged plot.

They said they had planned to attack Jordanian intelligence officials.

The men - who are among a group of 20 suspected Hamas activists arrested in recent raids - also said they had received military training in Syria.

The Jordanian TV also showed a stockpile of weapons that Amman said had been smuggled into the country by Hamas.

The alleged plot first came to light in April when Jordan said it had discovered the smuggled weapons.

The Jordanian government promptly cancelled a planned visit by Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Zahhar.

A week later, the Jordanians said they were holding several Hamas members who had received instructions from a Hamas military leader in Syria and who were in the final stages of planning attacks.

Jordanian government spokesman Nasser Joudeh told reporters earlier this week that the activists were plotting to destabilise Jordan.

"Hamas was attempting to recruit elements in the Jordanian arena and trying to recruit elements from abroad to send to Syria and Iran to get military training," he said.

Hamas has repeatedly denied the allegations.