AMMAN — Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Sunday accused former Crown Prince Hamza Bin Hussein of conspiring with foreign elements in a “malicious plot” that threatened national security.

Safadi told reporters that the plot had been foiled at the “zero hour.”

Safadi, who also holds the title of deputy prime minister, said intelligence agents had been observing the plotters for some time and raised their concerns with the king.

“Then it was clear they moved from design and planning into action,” Safadi said.

Prince Hamza appeared in two videos to distort facts and attempt to invite local and foreign empathy, Safadi said in a press conference.

He said Hamza was asked to “stop all these activities and movements that threaten Jordan and its stability,” but he refused.

“Initial investigations showed these activities and movements had reached a stage that directly affected the security and stability of the country, but his majesty decided it was best to talk directly to Prince Hamza, to deal with it within the family to prevent it from being exploited,” Safadi said.

He also said the wife of Prince Hamza had also made contact with a representative of a foreign country to secure their escape.

Sixteen people are currently being held in prison for their part in the plot, not including Bassem Awadallah and Shareef Hassan Bin Zaid.

He said a longtime senior official, Bassem Awadallah, was involved and had been planning on leaving the country. He also said Awadallah had been trying to secure a place for Hamza's wife to flee.

The security services have asked for those involved in the plot to be referred to the state security court, he said.

Safadi confirmed that the security efforts to foil the attempt had been fully Jordanian and that all suspicious activities were now under full control. — Agencies