The Roman Catholic Order of Malta has issued a statement rejecting allegations in an editorial in the UAE daily al-Bayan, by Jordanian MP Jamal Muhammad Abidat, claiming the order was playing a direct role in conflicts in the Middle East, such as Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Such statements, as well as causing deep upset because they are unfounded, have been expressed about an humanitarian organisation that helps the weak and disadvantaged in 120 countries around the world with medical and humanitarian programs,” the organisation said in a statement.

The allegation stems from the fact that according to a European Parliament working document, drawn up by Giovanni Claudio Fava, Malta is the operational base of Blackwater, the organiser of private military militia which are increasingly taking on more and more roles which used to be undertaken by U.S. forces in Iraq and elsewhere. In addition, author Jeremy Scahill, in his book, Blackwater, points out that senior Blackwater executives such as Joseph Schmitz, former Pentagon Inspector General, not only subscribe to the “theo-con” ideology but are also members of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

The Rome-based Order of Malta, whose full name is the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta, is also known as The Knights of Malta. It was founded in Jerusalem in 1080 as an institution of the Norman chivalry who were being deployed under Venetian orchestration into “holy wars” against Islam. Its cover activity is to care for poor and sick pilgrims in the Holy Land. With 12,500 members and 80,000 volunteers, the Order of Malta retains its claim of sovereignty under international law, and has been granted permanent observer status at the United Nations. It issues its own passports, stamps, and coins and has formal diplomatic relations with 99 states.