Syria’s stability is crucial for Jordan and the region - Jordan PM

Jordan's Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan (L) and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi attending a meeting with the King of Jordan. (File/AFP)
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Updated 09 December 2024
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Syria’s stability is crucial for Jordan and the region - Jordan PM

  • Jordan’s prime minister vows ‘to stand by the Syrian people’

DUABI: Jordanian Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan said that a stable and secure Syria is of strategic importance, not only for its people but also for Jordan and the broader Arab region.

Speaking at the House of Representatives on Monday, Hassan highlighted Jordan’s stance on supporting Syria’s sovereignty and fostering stability in the region.

“A stable and secure Syria is a strategic interest for Jordan and the entire Arab region,” Hassan said.

He said that Jordan has consistently called for a political resolution to the Syrian crisis, which has lasted more than 13 years, advocating for an end to the suffering of the Syrian people and the preservation of Syria’s unity and sovereignty.

Hassan pointed to the direct effects of Syria’s instability on Jordan, including challenges such as terrorism, drug trafficking, and smuggling. He praised Jordan’s armed forces and security services for their decisive actions in addressing these threats.

The prime minister also expressed hope for a new chapter in Syria’s history, one in which the country can recover from years of violence and turmoil.

“Our priority is protecting Syria’s security and the well-being of its citizens,” he said, adding that collective regional efforts are essential to prevent chaos and restore stability.

Hassan reaffirmed Jordan’s readiness to support a comprehensive political process in Syria and provide humanitarian aid under the directives of King Abdullah. He urged the international community to step up its assistance to address Syria’s pressing needs.

Addressing Jordanians currently in Syria, Hassan assured them that the ministry of foreign affairs and other relevant agencies are working to ensure their safety and facilitate their return.

“Jordan’s commitment to Syria remains unwavering,” Hassan said. “We will continue to stand by the Syrian people in their pursuit of peace and a brighter future.”


UN chief appoints Finland’s Haavisto as personal envoy for Sudan

Updated 15 sec ago
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UN chief appoints Finland’s Haavisto as personal envoy for Sudan

  • Former Finnish FM has extensive experience in mediation in the Horn of Africa and Middle East
  • Haavisto was Finland’s minister of foreign affairs from 2019-23

NEW YORK: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appointed Pekka Haavisto, the former Finnish foreign minister, as his personal envoy for Sudan, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday.
Haavisto succeeds Ramtane Lamamra of Algeria and brings more than 40 years of experience in politics and international affairs to the role, having previously held ministerial positions in Finland’s government as well as senior positions with the EU and UN. He is currently a member of the Finnish parliament.
Haavisto was Finland’s minister of foreign affairs from 2019-23. From 2016-19, he was president of the European Institute of Peace. He has also held the ministerial portfolios of development cooperation, state ownership, and the environment. Haavisto was elected to the Finnish parliament in 1987.
The new personal envoy has broad experience in mediation and negotiation processes in the Horn of Africa and the Middle East, and has worked extensively with the UN, said Dujarric.
From 2009-17, he was special representative to the Finnish foreign minister for mediation and crisis management in Africa. Between 2005 and 2007, Haavisto was the EU special representative for Sudan, where he took part in the Darfur peace negotiations. During that period, he also acted as a UN senior adviser to the Darfur peace process.
Haavisto worked for the UN Environment Programme from 1999 to 2005, including assignments in Iraq, the Palestinian territories, Liberia, and Sudan.
Asked why Lamamra had stepped down, Dujarric said that it was a “joint decision” between the Algerian envoy and the secretary-general.