His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday strongly condemned the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, pledging Jordan's full support for Lebanon and its people after the "cowardly criminal" murder.

King Abdullah told Lebanese President Emile Lahoud over the telephone that Hariri was a great statesman, who has remarkable contributions to the building of modern Lebanon and its development.

The King said Jordan will stand by Lebanon in such difficult circumstances to help maintain its national unity and security.