Jordanian foreign minister Nasser Judeh on Thursday said Syrian Ambassador in Amman Bahjat Suleiman has “violated all the diplomatic norms” through recent remarks and attitude.
He added that the diplomat has been previously warned not to continue his insulting statements, including those he is making on social media against Jordan, which hosts hundreds of thousands of refugees from his own country.
Judeh said the ambassador seems to lack “the basic standards for diplomatic and representation work”, saying that this will be the final warning for Suleiman to stop his insults against the government, military and parliamentary institutions, threatening to treat him as "persona non grata" otherwise.
On his Facebook account, Suleiman has attacked MP Bassam Manasir, describing him as a “servant of the enemies of Syria and Jordan”.
Manasir is head of the Lower House Arab and Foreign Affairs Committee.
Manasir had reportedly demanded the government to expel Suleiman during an interview with CNN, citing the diplomat’s “discourteous manners” and “provocative attitude”.
“Requesting my expulsion, the ‘senator’ [Manasir] sought to present his credentials to the enemies of Syria and Jordan as well,” Suleiman was quoted as saying.
Manasir was also reported to have discussed with other deputies the issue of expelling the “impudent” Suleiman from Jordan during the Lower House’s Sunday session.
“It would be impudent to remain in Jordan when Manasir and his likes become decision makers, God forbid,” Suleiman allegedly said.
Addressing Manasir, Suleiman said that his job is to defend and express his country’s stance, accusing the MP of trying to push Jordan into confrontation with Syria to serve external parties “seeking to harm Jordan the same way they are harming Syria”.
