Jordan voices solidarity with Egypt

Jordan's Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour reiterated Jordans support for the Egyptian government, and called on the Egyptian army to remain "firm" in the face of "terrorism". In a telephone call with his Egyptian counterpart Hazem Beblawi last night, Ensour also offered Jordans condolences over the death of 24 policemen, who were killed near the Rafah border in the Sinai Peninsula on Monday morning after gunmen attacked their buses. He emphasized that the Kingdom wishes Egypt to remain stable and survive the critical situation it is going through. Ensour stressed that a strong and stable Egypt is both a Jordanian and a regional interest. He added that any force that undermines Egypts security would also bring chaos to the Arab region as a whole. "We want to see Egypt strong so it may remain the heart of the Arab and Islamic nation," Ensour said at a press conference. "Jordan and the region cannot tolerate anything that might breakdown the countrys institutions and economy, which would eventually affect the lives of millions of Egyptians," the premier said, stressing that the current crisis in Egypt requires the support of all Arab countries. "The Egyptian state must not melt or erode or turn into a failed country. Jordans policy is based on respect of other countries and we do not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. We look around and see what is happening in Iraq and in Syria and elsewhere. Certainly we do not want to see Egypt walk that path," Ensour said. "If the Egyptian army goes, Egypt goes. The army must remain firm and strong," he added. On the Syrian issue, Ensour said the crisis is like a landmine and the government takes position with regards to the developments in the neighboring country based on what serves the interests of Jordan and its people. "We weigh our position very carefully when it comes to the developments in Syria. Since the beginning of the Syrian crisis, Jordan has taken a moderate position. Our relations with the Syrian opposition comes in line with Arab consensus," Ensour said, stressing that Jordan does not want to see the violence in Syria to spill over into the Kingdom.