Jordan Islamists Reject Military Action against Syria
Jordan's opposition Islamists on Wednesday rejected a possible Western military action against the Syrian regime, warning of "dangerous repercussions" for the region.
"We reject any kind of military intervention in Syria, regardless of its motives and justifications," said the Islamic Action Front, the political arm of Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood, urging the international community to turn to negotiations.
"Such military action seeks to weaken Syria and tear it apart, serve Zionist-American goals," the IAF charged in a statement.
The Front, the kingdom's main opposition party, warned against "dangerous repercussions for the entire region, mainly Syria and Palestine."
The United States and its allies blame Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime for alleged chemical weapons attacks near Damascus last week, in which hundreds are said to have died, and are mulling punitive military strikes.
The Islamists said Jordan, a key U.S. ally in the region, "should adhere to demanding a political solution to the Syrian crisis."
"Jordan should not be part of a military intervention. Its territories should not be used for such an action. Its role should focus on aiding the Syrian refugees until they go home."
Information Minister Mohammad Momani, meanwhile, reiterated that Jordan would not be used as "a launchpad" for military intervention in Syria.
"Jordan renews its calls for a political solution in Syria and urges the international community to intensify efforts to reach such a solution," Momani told Agence France Presse.
Many in Jordan, which is already struggling with 500,000 Syrian refugees, fear further impact from the conflict.
"Jordan's armed forces are capable of defending the country," Momani said.
Prime Minister Abdullah Nsur has said the United States is providing its ally Jordan with technical assistance against any possible chemical threat from neighboring Syria.
On Monday and Tuesday, Amman hosted a meeting of top army officers from Western and Muslim countries to discuss the escalating crisis in Syria.
Source: Agence France Presse
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