Jordan, Lebanon discuss Syrian crisis, ties

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday received Lebanese Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk, who conveyed his government’s condolences over the death of Jordanian pilot Muath Kasasbeh. 

During a meeting at Al Husseiniya Palace, Machnouk expressed Lebanon’s solidarity with Jordan and its support for the Kingdom.

King Abdullah and the Lebanese minister also discussed the latest developments in the region and means to strengthen bilateral ties in a manner that serves the interests of the two countries and their people. 

Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh, King’s Office Director Jafar Hassan, Interior Minister Hussein Majali and the delegation accompanying the Lebanese official attended the meeting. 

Also on Wednesday, Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour received Machnouk and discussed means to boost Jordanian-Lebanese relations. 

At the meeting — attended by Majali, Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications Mohammad Momani and Lebanon’s Ambassador to Jordan Michelin Paz — the two sides discussed the latest regional developments, especially those related to the Syrian crisis and its repercussions on neighbouring countries. 

The premier stressed Jordan’s position, which calls for a political solution to the Syrian crisis that would end the bloodshed there. 

Ensour asserted that Jordan does not intervene in Syria’s domestic affairs, noting that this is in line with the Kingdom’s fixed policy not to intervene in the internal affairs of any country. 

The Lebanese official conveyed greetings from Lebanon’s Prime Minister Tammam Salam to Ensour, stressing the strong relations between the two countries. 

He also expressed his country’s desire to learn from the Jordanian experience in dealing with Syrian refugees and empowering host communities. 

“We consider the question of the regime in Syria a matter that concerns the Syrians themselves,” Majali said at the meeting, noting that Jordan supports a political solution to the crisis, but is closely watching any repercussions that may affect it.

It is in Jordan’s interest for Syria to be strong and stable as that will help control the borders between the two countries and alleviate the burdens of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army, Majali added.