Protesters denounce delegation's visit to Damascus

Feb 14, 2013

AMMAN -- Around 50 members of numerous associations in Jordan gathered outside the Professional Associations Complex on Thursday to denounce a visit by a Jordanian delegation to Damascus.

An unofficial delegation of 23 Arab nationalists visited Damascus on Monday to voice support for President Bashar Assad. The move triggered anger among activists and average Jordanians.

During the demonstration, held by the Jordanian Commission to Support the Syrian People (JCSSP), protesters held banners denouncing the visit and expressing support for the Syrian people.

Earlier this week, Professional Associations Council President Mahmoud Abu Ghanimeh denied any link between the associations and the delegates.

He emphasised that the associations are neutral regarding the Syrian crisis but support the Syrian people's aspirations for freedom and democracy, adding that the delegates represented only themselves and did not speak on behalf of all Jordanians.

JCSSP President Ali Abul Sukkar said that Thursday's demonstration expressed the real feelings of Jordanians towards Syrians.

"This is a message to Syrians that all Jordanians support them and they will never forget their suffering and the horrors they are facing every day," Abul Sukkar told The Jordan Times during the protest.

He said that the delegation's visit will not harm the image of Jordanians.

"Jordanians will always support Syrian people and denounce the violence," he added.

Reyad Naseem, one of the demonstrators, said that a great number of Syrians sought refuge in Jordan because they trust Jordanians and feel safe in the Kingdom.

"What hurts me most are the images of children being killed in the violence," he said.

The uprising in Syria started as peaceful demonstrations around two years ago but quickly devolved into an armed conflict between rebels and regime forces after a violent crackdown against the opposition.

According to UN estimates, around 70,000 people have been killed so far in the violence.

Ali Saleh, a member of the JCSSP, said that Jordan and Syria were one nation and what hurts Syrians hurts Jordanians.

"We support a quick solution to end the violence in Syria and let the people take control of their country," Saleh added.