Shortly after King Hussein spoke, Foreign Minister Shimon Peres became the first Israeli Cabinet minister to publicly set foot on Jordanian soil.

"This is a cowardly, terrorist attack, which we regret took place on Jordanian soil," Interior Minister Eid al-Fayez told reporters.

The palace said it had been his "persistent wish" to die on Jordanian soil.

The possible involvement of Iraqis and the military-style attack have raised fears that militants linked to Iraq's insurgency may be operating on Jordanian soil.

Soon after, Syrian President Nureddin al-Atassi, ordered a hasty retreat from Jordanian soil.

Jordan's King Abdullah accused Hamas of using Jordanian soil for illegal activities, and Hamas' allies of trying to disrupt the peace treaty between Jordan and Israel.

The occupation of Iraq by the United States was deeply unpopular here and so was the King's decision to allow American troops onto Jordanian soil.

Reports from Jordan indicate that he is returning to die, presumably on Jordanian soil, rather than in a foreign country, the Administration official said.

Mr. Murphy said he had expressed his "profound desire" to have Mr. Abequa returned to New Jersey if he is seized on Jordanian soil.

Although militants have been caught with weapons seeking to cross into the West Bank over the years, there has not been such an attack on Jordanian soil in recent memory.