Jordanian King: “Great Concern” About Syria’s Future

Jordan’s King Abdullah II ibn al-Hussein told CNN, “I don’t think there’s anybody in the region or outside who knows how to tackle the Syria issue.” The king said he has reached out personally to Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad with little result. “I’ve spoken to Bashar twice. I have sent the chief of the royal court to see him on several occasions,” he said, adding that the Syrian government is “not really interested in what we have to say” and that Jordan is ”trying to keep the channels of communication open.”

Speaking generally at the opening of the World Economic Forum Special Meeting on Economic Growth and Job Creation in the Arab World, Abdullah said, “To cement progress anywhere, we will need progress everywhere.” Additionally, King Abdullah was among a slew of Arab leaders that called for a “home-grown version of the Marshall Plan” in the wake of the revolts, which have raised people’s hopes for swift economic improvements after decades of corruption and mismanagement.