Jordan has held its first motor car rally since 1967. Civil strife between the Jordanian forces and Palestinian Commandos since then, with outbreaks of fighting, have ruled out this type of motor sport. Fighting in the north of Jordan has been reported for the last two days.

This rally, organised by the Royal Automobile Club of Jordan, covered some 350 kilometres (220 miles) to the south of Amman. It was a one-day event with 32 cars taking part.

VISNEWS cameraman George Haj filmed the main points of the rally.

SYNOPSIS: Jordan has just held its first motor rally for more than three years. Civil strife between Jordanian forces and Palestinian commandos, which has led to repeated fighting, has ruled out this type of motor sport.

This rally was organised by the Royal Automobile Club of Jordan. It was a one-day event in which the cars covered 350 kilometres to the south of Amman. Thirty-two cars took part.

The rally started and finished in Amman. Most of the course was over sealed roads but there were some rough sections. It was primarily navigational rally with only moderate speeds needed to complete the course on time.

The route was kept secret until the cars were about leave, when each competitor was handed a route card. The course was divided into sections which had to be completed in specified times.

The rally was uneventful, but while it was going on fighting flared again between the Jordanian army and the commandos in the north of Jordan. The latest reports said there was fighting in the Jarash area. The commandos issued a statement claiming the Army had attacked their positions.