King condemns Ankara attack, as Turkish PM postpones visit

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday strongly condemned the Ankara terrorist bombing in a phone call with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

They also discussed global and regional efforts to combat terrorism, a Royal Court statement said. 

Davutoglu has postponed a visit to Jordan scheduled for Tuesday following the deadly bombing in Ankara that claimed the lives of dozens, according to a government official.

Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications Mohammad Momani told The Jordan Times on Monday that Davutoglu’s visit to Jordan was postponed.

During his visit to Jordan, the Turkish premier was scheduled to hold talks with King Abdullah and Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour on bilateral relations and regional developments, according to Turkish media outlets.

Davutoglu was also due to participate in the Turkish-Jordanian Business Forum in Aqaba. 

In a phone call on Monday, Davutoglu informed Ensour of the postponement of the visit to the Kingdom following the terrorist attack in Ankara late on Sunday, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Ensour voiced Jordan’s strong condemnation of the criminal attacks, stressing on Jordan’s full support to Turkey in its efforts to stand up to the heinous terrorist acts.

“We all stand together in the face of these criminal acts that tarnish and violate the basic human principles,” said Ensour.

He also sent a cable to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in which he offered condolences over the terror attack.