Jordan says no danger from Syria on Israeli accusations to destabilize country
Jordan on Monday denied Israeli statements which implied accusations addressed at Syria in attempting to destabilize conditions in Jordan following the appointment of Crown Prince Abdullah as heir to the Jordanian throne.
Damascus asserted that the appointment of prince Abdullah is "an internal matter of concern to Jordan."
A Jordanian official source told the London-based al-Hayat daily that "Jordan does not feel any danger that threatens its security or safety from Syria or from any other Arab country."
He indicated that the Kingdom was, is still and will be able to defend itself against all threats regardless of their sources or objectives. He asserted that Jordan is not in need of "protection and never asked protection from any foreign side."
The Jordanian source added -- commenting on statements made by the spokesman for the Israeli prime minister, David Bar Illan, in which he expressed his concern over "possible Syrian ambitions in the Jordanian territories" -- that history has shown that "Israel is the one who has ambitions in the Arab territories and is still occupying parts of the Arab territories in Palestine, Syria and Lebanon."
The Jordanian official source called upon Israel to withdraw from the occupied Arab territories in implementation of UN resolutions, the land for peace formula stated by peace agreements, and international U.N. resolutions.
Earlier, Bar Illan accused Syria of the possibility of trying to destabilize conditions in Jordan under the current conditions of King Hussein's illness and the appointment of his son, Prince Abdullah, as his heir, and the removal of Crown Prince Hassan.
Illan added that Israel " follows closely the developments in Jordan, especially concerning Syria's activities in this country." In Damascus, the Syrian Information Minister Muhammad Salman was asked on Monday about his country's stand concerning the appointment of prince Abdullah as a crown prince, Salman said " It is an internal issue within the Jordanian family and the measure taken was taken according to Jordanian laws and conception for arranging its internal situation."