A Jordanian court sentenced two former officials to 15 years in jail today, over a palace coup attempt that sparked a crisis in a kingdom seen as a regional oasis of stability.<br />'' <br />''Former Royal Court Chief Bassem Awadallah and an ex-envoy to Saudi Arabia Sharif Hassan bin Zaid had been convicted of conspiring to topple King Abdullah-II in favour of his half-brother Prince Hamzah.<br />'' <br />''The former Crown Prince himself was not on trial. But, the 13-page charge sheet said Hamzah, was determined to fulfill his personal ambition to rule, in violation of the Hashemite constitution and customs.<br />'' <br />''Journalists at a makeshift Media Centre outside the State Security Court, a military tribunal that also includes civilian judges, were later shown short videos of the ruling being issued. The men's lawyers said, they would appeal.<br />'' <br />''The unprecedented palace crisis erupted in April. Eighteen suspects were arrested after authorities announced they had foiled a bid to destabilise the pro-Western kingdom, but 16 were later released.<br />'' <br />''<span style="color: #222222;">The trial was held behind closed doors in the capital Amman.          </span><br />