Jordan returns ambassador following arrest of its citizens by Israel

Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi announced Tuesday that the Jordanian ambassador to Israel will return to Jordan for consultations.

The statement came following "Israel's failure to respond" to Jordan's requests to release from prison two Jordanian civilians, Hiba al-Lebadi and Abed a-Rahman Maree and their "continued illegal and immoral imprisonment".

Safadi also said that this was only the first step against the arrest of the two, and that Jordan would "take all legal and diplomatic measures to ensure their safe return home".