Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — Jordan has been urged to establish a buffer zone along the
kingdom’s border with Syria.

Syrian opposition sources said the Hashemite kingdom has been
considering a series of moves to help the revolt against President Bashar
Assad. They said the most feasible proposal was for a safe haven zone for
Syrian civilians and fighters who were fleeing Assad’s military and security
forces.

“We need a buffer zone along each border to ensure the protection of civilians, and a buffer zone in the south along the Dera-Ramtha region will be an important part of this plan,” Basma Al Qadmani, executive committee member of the opposition Syrian National Council, said.

Jordan’s role was discussed during an opposition conference in Tunisia on Jan. 9, the first SNC parley since October. The sources said Turkey has already established an informal buffer zone backed by a military presence along the border with Syria.

“Jordan can play an even greater role as we move towards gaining international support for this initiative,” Al Qadmani said.

Jordan, which has denied intervention, is said to have facilitated
significant help for the rebels in Syria. The sources said this included
weapons and communications shipments into Syria as well as training and
coordination of operations against the Assad regime.

The sources said Jordan has been pressed to expand its involvement by
Qatar, deemed the most active Arab state in the revolt against Assad. Qatar,
Saudi Arabia and Turkey were said to be the leading supporters of the
Islamist-dominated SNC.

“The position and support of Jordan will be key for us to end this
conflict and build a new Syria,” SNC president Burhan Ghalioun told the
Jordan Times. “There are ongoing contacts between the council and the
Jordanian government in this regard, and we are hopeful that the Arab world
in general and Jordan in particular, will grant us recognition soon.”

  Bashar Assad, Basma Al Qadmani, Burhan Ghalioun, Hashemite kingdom, Jordan weighs safe haven for fleeing Syrian civilians, soldiers, Syrian National Council