51.   The petro-currencies were firm, while currencies from countries that import oil declined, said Peter von Maydell, an analyst at Union Bank of Switzerland.

52.   The resignation ended several months of speculation following controversial tax remissions earlier this year to four companies importing edible oil.

53.   The United States has tried to pressure Amman to stop importing oil from Iraq and cut off links to squeeze the Baghdad government.

54.   The US envoy also urged King Hussein to sever economic ties with Iraq and in particular stop importing oil, according to US news reports.

55.   It also imports oil from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and other countries.

56.   Jordanian ministers began talks with Iraqi officials on Thursday in a bid to renew agreements to import Iraqi oil and conduct trade.