Jordan threatens to expel Syrian ambassador

Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh warns envoy, who takes to social media sites to criticize his hosts, to behave or risk expulsion

7 June 2013, 1:25 am

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Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh. (YouTube screen capture)

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Jordan’s foreign minister has warned the Syrian ambassador to his country to stop criticizing his host or risk expulsion.

Nasser Judeh’s remark Thursday underlines growing tension between the two neighbors. Jordan backs Syrian rebels seeking to topple President Bashar Assad.

Syrian ambassador Bahjat Suleiman is an ardent critic of Jordan, especially on social networks, accusing it of being a puppet of the United States and Israel. Two weeks ago, he bitterly rebuked Amman in comments to the media for hosting a meeting of the anti-Assad “Friends of Syria” group.

Judeh says Suleiman has “exceeded diplomatic norms and practices” in “offensive” remarks against his Jordanian host, which is sheltering more than 500,000 Syrian refugees.

“This is a final warning,” Judeh told The Associated Press. Failing to commit, Suleiman risks becoming “persona non-grata.”