Amman - The Egyptian authorities have refused to allow a Jordanian parliamentary delegation to enter the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing, Deputy Speaker of the lower house of parliament Abdullah Jazi said Monday.

He said that the deputies, who were scheduled to leave to the beleaguered Palestinian territory on Monday, were asked by Cairo to use the Karam Abu Salem crossing, which is controlled by Israel.

The delegation, which comprises 23 Islamists and pro-government lawmakers, rejects in principle the idea of approaching the Israeli embassy in Amman for entry visas, parliamentary sources said.

The Jordanian MPs have signed a memorandum requesting the lower house to facilitate their visit to Gaza through the Rafah crossing in order to meet with the Deputy Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council Ahmad Bahr. (dpa)