Foreign Minister Holds Onto Jordan's Initiative on Syrian Crisis

Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi (Reuters)
Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi (Reuters)
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Foreign Minister Holds Onto Jordan's Initiative on Syrian Crisis

Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi (Reuters)
Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi (Reuters)

Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ayman Safadi, affirmed his country's ongoing efforts to find a political solution to the Syrian crisis through the Jordanian initiative.

Safadi explained that Jordan's efforts stem from the direct Arab role of engaging with Syria in a political dialogue to solve the crisis and its security and political ramifications.

The foreign minister met with the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, and affirmed Jordan's full coordination with the UN regarding the initiative and sharing its details with international organizations.

They also addressed coordinating efforts to provide humanitarian aid after the devastating earthquakes that struck Syria and Türkiye.

Safadi indicated that the meeting discussed the initiative based on direct Arab coordination and engagement and its launch date with the aim of serious Arab action to resolve the Syrian crisis.

The crisis in Syria must not continue, and the political solution is the key to ending it, said Safadi, adding that as Arab countries, they must be at the forefront of the dialogue, and the repercussions of the crisis affect all.

He reiterated Jordan's support for the efforts of the UN envoy to reach a political solution to the crisis under Security Council Resolution 2254.

Pedersen reviewed the UN efforts to reach a political solution to the crisis in Syria, stressing the importance of continued cooperation between the Kingdom and the UN.

He praised the great humanitarian role of the Kingdom in providing aid to Syria after the recent earthquakes, hosting Syrian refugees, and providing them with a decent life.

In a separate meeting, Safadi discussed with Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator at the UN Martin Griffiths the situation in Syria, the ongoing cooperation in helping Syrians following the recent earthquakes, and the challenges resulting from the decline in international support for Syrian refugees and the host countries.

Safadi stressed that Jordan continues to help Syria and Türkiye cope with the consequences of the recent earthquakes that struck the two countries last February, underscoring that Amman would continue to send aid to the two countries.

Griffiths commended the Kingdom's efforts in hosting refugees and assisting those affected by earthquakes.



Some Residents Returning to Bint Jbeil in Southern Lebanon

People ride past damaged buildings, following a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah, at Baraashit in the Bint Jbeil district of southern Lebanon, 05 December 2024. (EPA)
People ride past damaged buildings, following a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah, at Baraashit in the Bint Jbeil district of southern Lebanon, 05 December 2024. (EPA)
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Some Residents Returning to Bint Jbeil in Southern Lebanon

People ride past damaged buildings, following a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah, at Baraashit in the Bint Jbeil district of southern Lebanon, 05 December 2024. (EPA)
People ride past damaged buildings, following a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah, at Baraashit in the Bint Jbeil district of southern Lebanon, 05 December 2024. (EPA)

Residents trickled back to the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil on Monday as the Israeli army withdrew and Lebanese forces, alongside UN peacekeepers, moved in to secure the area.
This marks another town from which Israeli troops have withdrawn following the US- and French-brokered ceasefire that ended the 14-month conflict between Hezbollah and Israel on Nov. 27, The Associated Press said.
Inside the town, a mosque’s dome lay in ruins, surrounded by collapsed buildings, charred cars and streets strewn with twisted metal and broken glass.
Despite the lack of power some residents returned to check on their homes. Few stayed.
Ahmad Saad, a member of the Bint Jbeil Municipality, said only about 10% of the town’s residents have returned. “Essentials of life are still lacking — there’s no electricity, water, there’s nothing,” he said.