A Syrian and Arab initiative was undertaken to address the situation in Lebanon. Suddenly, Khaddam in Amman and delivered a message from Assad to Hussein.
Yesterday, a Syrian-Arab movement unfolded following the Aqaba summit involving the leaders of Egypt, Jordan, and the Palestine Liberation Organization, as well as the United Arab Emirates’ call for an emergency Arab summit to address the situation in Lebanon. Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam made a sudden visit to Amman, while Syrian Foreign Minister Farouq Al-Shara traveled to Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
Khaddam informed the Jordanian News Agency that Syria and Jordan agreed to collaborate towards the unity and stability of Lebanon through political reforms and national reconciliation. He mentioned delivering a message from Syrian President Hafez Al-Assad to King Hussein and exchanging viewpoints on Lebanon with Jordanian officials.
Before departing Amman to return to Damascus, Khaddam emphasized the consensus on the need to prioritize the unity and stability of Lebanon, along with achieving national reconciliation and implementing political reforms. He stressed that as Arabs, they share concern for the situation and developments in Lebanon, affirming the goal of ensuring Lebanon’s unity.
According to a political source, King Hussein briefed Khaddam on the outcomes of the Aqaba meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Yasser Arafat, the head of the Palestine Liberation Organization.
An authorized Jordanian source confirmed that Khaddam left Amman after discussing the situation in Lebanon and the possibility of convening a dedicated Arab summit with King Hussein. The meeting between Khaddam and Hussein took place at the Royal Palace of Al-Nadwa in the presence of Jordanian Prime Minister Zaid Al-Rifai, President of the Royal Court Marwan Al-Qasim, and Minister of the Court Adnan Abu Odeh.
The source emphasized Jordan’s belief that it is necessary to call for an Arab summit specifically focused on addressing the Lebanese issue. Jordan also expressed concerns that the situation in Lebanon could potentially become a dangerous precedent that may be replicated in other Arab countries. Additionally, the source stated that Oman views the foreign intervention in selecting a president for an Arab country as a perilous and unacceptable precedent. The authorized source in Amman further mentioned that high-level contacts will soon take place between Jordanian and Saudi officials to explore the readiness of Saudi Arabia to host a fair Arab summit.