Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Jordan is considering withdrawing its ambassador in Damascus in light of the worsening situation in Syria, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh has said.

Interviewed by Al Arabiya TV late Thursday, Judeh said the Jordanian ambassador is currently present in Damascus to safeguard the interests of Jordanians in Syria.

“The presence of an ambassador in one country does not necessarily reflect the political views on that nation. We have a political stance towards the violence taking place in Syria and it has been clearly stated on different occasions,” Judeh said.

He stressed that not withdrawing Jordan’s ambassador should not be taken as a sign that Jordan supports the Syrian regime in terms of what is happening on the ground.

In the interview, Judeh reiterated Jordan’s rejection of the Russian and Chinese vetoes at the UN Security Council, which foiled the Arab League-supported resolution on the Syrian crisis, stressing that this should not stop the Arabs from working to end the violence and bloodshed that has claimed the lives of thousands of innocent Syrians.

“The Arab foreign ministers’ meeting on Sunday in Cairo has on its agenda several discussions on the Syrian crisis, including the Arab initiative proposed to the Security Council and chances of its implementation on the ground as a means to end the violence in Syria,” Judeh said.

He added that the government’s decision to withdraw its participating members in the monitoring delegation to Syria was out of concern for their safety due to the deteriorating situation there.

“This decision is subject to consideration in case the Arab League decided to resume its mission; however, the decision to participate will be decided by each country,” he added.

Judeh noted that Jordan is not concerned with the news reported on creating buffer zones at the joint border between Jordan and Syria, stressing that Jordan’s actions are based on protecting its interests.

The minister reiterated that the Kingdom strongly opposes foreign military intervention in Syria, emphasising that any options to be considered regarding the Syrian crisis must be based on Arab League decisions.



* Jordan Times / by Hani Hazaimeh