Syria, Jordan discuss bilateral ties, return of refugees
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Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi discuss several regional issues, including the Syrian crisis.
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Syrian President Bashar al-Assad speaks during an interview in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, August 9, 2023 (Syrian Presidency Telegram)
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Sunday in Damascus to discuss bilateral relations and avenues for strengthening ties between the two countries.
The talks included the issue of the return of Syrian refugees and the current critical developments in the region.
During the meeting, Safadi conveyed a message from Jordanian King Abdullah II to President al-Assad, addressing a range of bilateral and regional issues, including the ongoing Syrian crisis.
President al-Assad emphasized that ensuring the safe return of Syrian refugees is a top priority for the Syrian government. He noted that Syria had made significant progress in implementing the necessary measures to facilitate the return, particularly regarding the legal and legislative frameworks.
On his part, Safadi affirmed that Jordan was making every effort to support the return of Syrian refugees, stressing his country's commitment to the stability and recovery of Syria, which serves the broader interests of the region.
Earlier in the day, Safadi held extensive talks with his Syrian counterpart, Bassam Sabbagh. Their discussions centered on efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis, the refugee issue, combating drug smuggling, and addressing the escalating tensions in the region. According to the Jordanian Foreign Ministry, the talks also explored efforts to de-escalate the current perilous situation in the region.
'Israel' pushing region toward 'abyss'
Safadi stated during a visit to Lebanon earlier in the month that the Israeli occupation's aggression was pushing the region toward the "abyss" of all-out war.
"The Israeli aggression... which started in Gaza and now has continued into Lebanon is pushing the whole region into the abyss of full-blown regional war," Safadi told reporters at a news conference in Beirut.
"We are facing a disaster and a dangerous escalation that threatens the region," the top Jordanian diplomat warned.
"Israel bears responsibility for this aggression, the escalation in the region, and any new escalation that the region faces," he emphasized.
Safadi expressed Jordan’s support for the Lebanese government’s initiative to elect a new president, a call for an immediate ceasefire, and its commitment to United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1701.
The foreign minister also backed an initiative by the United States and France for a three-week ceasefire in Lebanon, a proposal that the Israeli regime sidelined, where it opted for expanding the aggression on the country instead.
