Egypt, Jordan call for supporting Syria's sovereignty, unity

CAIRO, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi stressed on Monday the importance of supporting Syria and respecting its sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.

During a phone conversation, they highlighted the need for enhanced coordination between regional and international actors to support Syria's reconstruction efforts, according to a statement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.

They said this should be achieved through a comprehensive political process led and owned by the Syrians themselves, calling for ensuring the people's participation and protecting their rights.

The two ministers also reviewed the latest developments in Syria, with the Jordanian foreign minister briefing his Egyptian counterpart on the outcomes of his visit to Syria earlier in the day.

On Monday, Safadi held talks with Ahmed al-Sharaa, head of Syria's de facto governing group, in Damascus, with a focus on Syria's political transition and broader regional security concerns.

Safadi reiterated Jordan's commitment to aiding Syria's reconstruction efforts, emphasizing that Jordan would encourage both regional and international partners to engage with Syria's emerging leadership, Syrian media outlet Sham FM reported.

A militant alliance led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group waged a major military operation from northern Syria on Nov. 27. It swept southwards, captured the capital Damascus, and overthrew former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government within 12 days. ■