Despite Jordan’s recognition of the dire humanitarian situation in the south of Syria and the suffering of its Syrian brethren, the Kingdom will not open its borders to allow more refugees to enter, Minister of State for Media Affairs, Jumana Ghunaimat, asserted on Friday.

Ghunaimat reiterated that Jordan maintains that a ceasefire and a political truce is what is most needed in order to protect the lives of civilians, especially children and women. She pointed out that the Jordan is willing to help Syrians inside their country and fully cooperate with the UN.

She urged leading powers, the international community, and relief organizations to play their role in the relief efforts and protect the Syrian population through a mechanism that is not in conflict with the interest of Jordan.

The minister elaborated that the Cabinet has been communicating with all parties in order to to stop the military escalation, stressing that Jordan welcomes any solution to the bloodshed and the displacement of civilians.

She expressed Jordan’s hopes that the UN will take practical steps to help displaced people and provide their basic needs, particularly water, food and medical supplies.

Ghunaimat expressed her surprise that fingers were being pointed at Jordan and explained that all sides need to work to put an end to the violence, adding that the Kingdom has limited resources that have been further exhausted by the financial crisis.

Her statement echoed the sentiment of Jordan’s foreign minister, Ayman Safadi, during his remarks after his meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, earlier that day.