HIGHLIGHTS: Suspect Admits Responsibility for the Assassination|*| Shurafaa' al-Urdun Claim Responsibility for Attack in Revenge of U.S. Blind Support for Israel & Actions against Afghanistan & Iraq|*|Suspect, Muhammad al-Chalabi, known as Abu Sayyaf, also Wanted in Connection with Attack on a Police Station in 2001|*|No Ties to Iraq|*|
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STORY:Jordanian security forces have arrested a suspect in the Monday slaying of American diplomat Laurence Folly. Sources in Jordan reveal that the suspect was arrested after a short gunfight, and has admitted his responsibility for the assassination.

Folly, an official of the American USAID agency, was shot eight times as he left his home in Amman early Monday morning. The killing sent shockwaves throughout Jordan, and lead to the immediate shutdown of the U.S. embassy.

A previously unknown group calling itself Shurafaa' al-Urdun took responsibility for the killing in a fax sent to Arabic daily Al-Quds Al-Arabi, claiming that the killing was in protest against U.S. support for Israel and actions against Afghanistan and Iraq. However, Jordanian security services treated this claim with doubt, and apparently did not believe it was genuine.

On Tuesday afternoon, Jordanian security forces closed in on a suspect in the killing in the city of Maan. Following a gun battle in which two Jordanian officers were apparently wounded, the suspect was arrested. Police told foreign correspondents that the man, Muhammad al-Chalabi, known as Abu Sayyaf, was wanted in connection with an attack on a police station in 2001

NOT TIES TO IRAQ

Rumors in Jordan first claimed that the killing of Folly was linked to the anticipated U.S. war against Iraq. Neighboring Jordan enjoys a long and relatively open border with Iraq, and has served as a base for anti-government groups. However, the country is also accessible to Saddam Hussein's men. It was initially suspected that Folly had been in contact with Iraqi opposition elements and that this had lead to his killing, but this speculation has now largely been discounted.

PHOTO CAPTION

Foley, 60, an administrator at the U.S. Agency for International Development, was shot by a lone gunman at close range as he walked to his car in front of his home in Amman on Monday. On Tuesday, Jordanian arrested a suspect who has apparently confessed to his g