Bashar al-Assad in Amman today

Col. Bashar al-Assad, son of Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, arrives today in Amman to offer condolences to King Abdullah and members of the Jordanian royal family over the death of the late Jordanian King Hussein Bin Talal.

The visit, however, is considered by observers as reflecting further closeness between Damascus and Amman.

Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on February 8 took part in the funeral ceremony for the late King, held lengthy talks with the Jordanian Premier Fayez Tarawneh and met with King Abdullah, a matter which was viewed as a new page in the relations between the two countries.

Relations deteriorated between Syria and Jordan following the signing of the Israeli-Jordanian peace agreement signed in October 1994.