AMMAN, Feb 26, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa met
Jordan's King Abdullah II in Amman on Wednesday, with the royal court saying
the pair discussed security along their shared border and the return of
Syrian refugees.

The king greeted Sharaa at Amman's Marka airport, the court said in a
statement, with the two leaders then heading to Raghadan Palace for their
first talks since Sharaa took power.

During their discussions, the king spoke of the need to coordinate on
"various challenges related to border security and reducing the smuggling of
weapons and drugs... and creating appropriate conditions for the voluntary
and safe return of Syrian refugees", the court said.

The trip is Sharaa's third abroad since he overthrew longtime ruler Bashar
al-Assad in December. His first visits were to Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

Assad's downfall came after nearly 14 years of civil war that caused
widespread destruction and left the country's economy in shambles.

On Wednesday, King Abdullah voiced "Jordan's support for the Syrian brothers
in rebuilding their country... in a way that guarantees Syria's unity,
security and stability".

Sharaa was accompanied by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, who had visited
Amman in January for talks with his counterpart Ayman Safadi.

During Shaibani's previous visit, the two governments had agreed to work
together to tackle narcotics and weapons smuggling.

Production of the amphetamine-like stimulant captagon and other drugs soared
in Syria during the civil war, with evidence uncovered after Assad's
overthrow showing heavy involvement by his government.

Jordan was one of only a handful of Arab countries to keep its embassy in
Damascus open after the civil war broke out in 2011.

It hosted an international summit on Syria on December 14, less than a week
after Assad was toppled.