JORDAN: PREPARATIONS FOR KING'S FUNERAL - UPDATE

(8 Feb 1999) Arabic/Nat
Jordan is preparing for the funeral of its deceased King Hussein and for the thousands of people expected to jam the streets.
The first of hundreds of leaders and dignitaries from around the world have already arrived for the funeral of the king who died on Sunday after a long battle with cancer.
Meanwhile, the official Jordanian newspaper published huge spreads of pictures of the king, his family and mourners.
Ordinary people have expressed their deep sorrow for the loss of their monarch - the Middle East's longest-serving leader and a pivotal figure in the quest for peace in the region.
The muezzin's early morning call to prayer in the capital.
Many Jordanians used it to express their sorrow at the sixty-three-year-old King Hussein's death.
Jordan has started six days of official mourning, as part of the traditional 40-day Muslim period of mourning.
A special edition of Jordan's official newspaper "Al-Ra'i" has been printed, heavily bound in black, paying tribute to the man who ruled Jordan for 46 years.
The official newspaper summed up the mood in Jordan on Monday.
A special edition of the Al-Ra'i newspaper is commemorating the life of King Hussein on the day of his funeral.
The capital, Amman, was quiet on Monday morning, ahead of the state funeral of King Hussein.
Black flags and banners of the king were seen everywhere.
And troops were out lining the city's roads.
The streets are empty now - but hundreds of thousands of people are expected to turn out for the funeral procession.
Their King ruled the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for forty six years.
He died on Sunday after a long battle against cancer.
On the streets of Amman people expressed their anxiety about the transition of power from the king to his son, Abdullah.
SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)
"It's a Hashemite who has given his throne to another Hashemite. I hope everything will be ok."
SUPER CAPTION: Vox pop
The 63-year-old monarch is immediately succeeded by his eldest son, Abdullah, who is to preside over the ceremonial farewell to Hussein.
SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)
"I'm lost for words he was a father, he was a brother I'm so worried."
SUPER CAPTION: Vox pop
The funeral will begin with an enormous procession winding its way through miles of hilly streets in Amman, the Jordanian capital.
It will also feature full military honours, including a gun salute and honour guard.
Hundreds of world leaders and dignitaries are arriving in Jordan to attend Monday's funeral for King Hussein.
Russian President Yeltsin and British Prime Minister Tony Blair have already touched down in Amman.
They are to be joined by President Clinton, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and three former U-S presidents, European royalty, Israeli officials and heads of Arab states.
King Hussein is remembered around the world for his enduring strive for peace in the Middle East.
Despite suffering from cancer, he rose from his bed to negotiate in the Wye peace deal in October 1998.
His efforts brought the Israelis and Palestinians together when they were on the brink of turning back.
Find out more about AP Archive: www.aparchive.c...
Twitter: / ap_archive
Facebook: / aparchives ​​
Instagram: / apnews
You can license this story through AP Archive: www.aparchive.c...