Syrian ambassador asked to leave Jordan

AMMAN –– Jordan on Monday asked Syrian Ambassador in Jordan Bahjat Suleiman to leave the Kingdom within 24 hours after the government declared him persona non grata.

The Foreign Ministry sent a memo to the Syrian Embassy in Amman asking Suleiman to leave within 24 hours, according to the ministry’s spokesperson Sabah Al Rafei.

In a statement carried by the official Petra news agency, Rafei said the decision comes due to the envoy's “repeated insults and offences” targeting Jordan and its leadership, institutions and citizens, through his meetings with various personalities, statements and posts on social media networks.

Rafei said that the diplomat was warned several times against taking advantage of Jordanian hospitality.

Suleiman also targeted some Arab countries and their leaders that enjoy strong ties with Jordan, the statement said.

The official described the behaviour of Suleiman as contravening all diplomatic norms and conventions.