Syria responds to expulsion of envoy from Jordan with reciprocal move

AMMAN –– In a retaliatory move, Syria declared Jordan's charge d'affaires in Damascus persona non grata.

The decision came hours after Amman asked ambassador Bahjat Suleiman to leave the Kingdom within 24 hours.

The Syrian foreign ministry said in a statement carried by the state-run SANA news agency that Jordan's decision to expel Suleiman as "unjustified" and does not reflect the "strong ties between the people of both countries."

“In response to the Jordanian government’s decision, Syria decided to declare the charge d'affaires at the Jordanian Embassy in Damascus perosna non grata," the statement said.

SANA reported that the ministry requested the Jordanian embassy to inform the diplomat, who is in Amman, that he will not be allowed to enter Syria.

Jordan's charge d'affaires in Damascus is Mohammad Amin Abu Jamous

Earlier in the day, Jordan attributed its decision to the envoy's “repeated insults and offences” targeting Jordan and its leadership, institutions and citizens, through remarks at meetings with various personalities, public statements and posts on social media networks.