Dubai authorities have called on the FBI to assist in an investigation into how suspects in the January 19th murder of the Hamas leader, Mahmoud al Mabhouth, at a Dubai hotel managed to pay for their visit.

According to Dubai's police authorities, the suspects used American-issued payment cards.

The local investigators, in attempting to discover the source of the funds, have asked the FBI to help determine if there is a link to Israel or its intelligence agency Mossad.

Dubai Police have said many of the 27 suspects used prepaid MasterCards issued by a regional American bank, to purchase their plane tickets and hotel rooms.

FBI investigators have the authority to examine the source of the money on the cards.

Dubai's Police Chief, Lt Gen Dahi Khalfan Tamim, has not yet confirmed that the FBI is participating, but has said every country he has contacted for assistance has agreed to join the investigation.

On Monday, he said people travelling to the UAE who are suspected of having Israeli citizenship will not be allowed to enter the country, due to the anomalies that have arisen from Israeli citizens allegedly using forged passports.

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