Jordan borders well sealed against terrorists, smuggling — minister

AMMAN – Jordan's borders are "well protected" against terrorists and smuggling, a government official said Sunday, denying as baseless reports that oil from oil fields controlled by the self-styled “Islamic State” (IS) was smuggled into the Kingdom. 

"The Kingdom's borders are technically, security-wise and militarily protected, and the measures taken to control smuggling and infiltration are of the same level as those in more advanced countries," Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications and Government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani said at a press conference, adding that Jordan considers IS a terror and criminal group. 

"How can we make deals with such a group?” Momani asked in response to questions by journalists based on a recent report published by CNN Arabia. 

The minister said that Jordan is ready to deal with any terror threats, both external and internal. 

He acknowledged that there are small groups in the Kingdom which sympathise with IS but stressed that there are strategies to combat extremism in the country. 

Speaking on the recently announced international coalition, which was formed during the NATO summit in Wales last Thursday to fight IS, Momani said Jordan is not currently part of the core coalition. However, he said that the Kingdom is coordinating with Arab and foreign countries to fight terror groups. 

“Any future decision regarding this issue will be announced at the right time and in the right way,” he told reporters. 

“The premier was clear when he said that if Jordan wants to be part of any coalition it would announce that,” Momani added, in reference to remarks made by Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour on Saturday.

During the press conference, Momani indicated that the expected visit of US Secretary of State John Kerry and Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel to Jordan to discuss IS would take place in “the very near future”, but stressed that the details of the trip would be scheduled by the US administration. 

Last week, the White House said that Kerry and Hagel would travel to the Middle East as part of a delegation of senior American officials heading to the region in order to “build stronger regional partnerships” against the “IS terrorist organisation”.