Jordan no launchpad for US war on Syria

Jordan no launchpad for US war on Syria
Wed Aug 28, 2013 10:36:28

Jordan will not be a launchpad for any foreign military intervention in neighboring Syria, a senior Jordanian government official says.

"Jordan's position has not changed. Jordanian territories will not be used as a launchpad for any military action against Damascus," the official, who was speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Tuesday.

The official's remarks came at the end of a meeting of top military officers of Jordan, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Canada in the Jordanian capital Amman to discuss the regional impact of the war against Syria.

"The outcome of this meeting on developments in Syria is not expected to be announced to the media because of the nature of the meeting," the official said.

The US has been mulling carrying out an airstrike on Syria by moving its naval forces closer to the Arab country while its Special Forces and CIA operatives reportedly are in Syria.

According to reports, US forces have been infiltrating Syria through Jordan borders during the recent months and groups of well trained militants have been sent to fight against Syrian army by CIA operatives in the kingdom.

The call for military action against Syria intensified after foreign-backed opposition forces accused the government of President Bashar al-Assad of launching a chemical attack on militant strongholds in the suburbs of Damascus last week.

The Syrian Army strongly rejected any role in the alleged chemical attack, saying the accusations were fabricated to distract a visiting team of the UN chemical weapons experts and to cover up militants' losses.

During a news conference on Tuesday in Damascus, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem challenged the US and its allies to present evidence that the government had used chemical weapons.

"We are hearing war drums around us. If they want to launch an attack against Syria, I think using the excuse of chemical weapons is not true at all. I challenge them to show what proof they have,” Muallem said.

He also criticized Jordanian government which has provided a main base for US military and CIA activities along their borders against Syria and said,” we have never done any wrong toward Jordan. It is said that they are preparing to take part in chemical war (against Syria). We call on our Jordanian brothers to respect right of neighborhood.”

SHI/BA

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