Jordanian Prime Minister Marouf Al Bakhit on Wednesday telephoned his Syrian counterpart Adel Safar to discussed boosting relations between Jordan and Syria, the Jordan Times reports.
During the conversation, Bakhit stressed Jordan’s concern for Syria’s stability, expressing hope that calm will be restored in the Kingdom’s northern neighbor.
He also underscored Jordan’s confidence in the ability of the Syrian leadership to handle ongoing protests in the country in the best interest of Syria and its people.
Safar expressed appreciation of Jordan’s concern about the security and the stability of Syria, commending efforts to develop bilateral relations.
Safar said Assad's government is committed to implementing economic and political reforms President Bashar Asaad announced recently.
Bakhit's call comes as the United States and other western nations seek to isolate the regime of Bashar Assad, which has brutally sought to quell demonstrations calling for his ouster.
Syria has been sharply censured by the International community for its repressive tactics vis-a-vis demonstrators. Sanctions have been imposed on some senior Syrian leaders. On Wednesday, Syria was also forced to withdraw its candidacy for the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Also Wednesday, Assad's forces shelled residential neighborhoods in Homs, killing eighteen.
Some 750 people have been killed in the violent protests that have rocked the Alawite-run, Sunni-majority nation.
Jordan's motives for seeking to improve relations with Assad's regime as he brutally supresses his people remain an enigma.