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* While Jordanians are widely debating the probable US military strike against Syria, the country’s government is calm, playing down fears of any overspill, writes Khetam Malkawi / Al Ahram Weekly

As Jordanians from all walks of life are following up cautiously developments in Syria and the possible military strike on that neighbouring country, the government seems not to be worried and is sending reassuring messages to its citizens.

Although the tension in the kingdom is less than it was back in the 1990s when Jordanians lived a similar scenario when the attack on Iraq was expected at any moment, still the discussion is dominating not only political salons, but is everywhere.

Social media has become the best platform for such discussions with some supporting the attack while others reject any international interference in regional affairs.

Currently, we can say that “Jordanians eat and breathe” discussions about the potential attack.

However, the government seems at ease while talking about the issue.

This was obvious when Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications Mohamed Momani held his first press conference to talk about Jordan’s stance on the potential military attack, one day after the US President Barack Obama stated he would ask congress to green light a strike on Syria.

Momani said that Jordan would not be part of any war on Syria and there would not be any attack on the neighbouring country from its soil or airspace.

Momani, who is also the government’s spokesperson, said Jordan still prefers a diplomatic solution to the crisis.

Speaking to the media, Momani said that since the start of crisis in the neighbouring country, Jordan has taken a moderate position and has called for a political solution to the violence there.

The minister added that the government is following up on regional developments and is taking precautionary measures to respond to possible scenarios.

He also sent a clear message that Jordan has no fears stemming from an escalation in Syria as the country has never been — and will never be — part of the struggle there, adding that the US has never asked the kingdom to be part of any coalition for the purpose of launching a military strike against the Syrian regime.

These remarks were also echoed by Prime Minister Abdallah Ensour during a meeting of the Higher Council for Civil Defence early this week.
The premier stressed that the kingdom would not be a launch pad for the strike against Syria and that there is no need to fear a war.

Ensour was quoted by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, as calling on both Jordanian and non-Jordanian citizens to be calm, adding that Jordan has all the necessary capabilities to deal with any developments in neighbouring Syria.

“We want to be cautious and so we are preparing for any developments in Syria… It’s not because we sense danger or feel unsafe,” Ensour said.

Although Momani reiterated that the government has no information on when a possible attack will be, health authorities said they are fully equipped for any possible developments in the Syrian issue.

Minister of Health Ali Hiasat told Al-Ahram Weekly that the country has enough stocks of medicine and hospitals are equipped with the required staff and facilities.

“We are ready enough to deal with any emergency, in case there is any,” the minister said.