Jordan- Allegations of oil smuggling baseless 

(MENAFN - Jordan Times) Government Spokesperson Rakan Majali on Wednesday dismissed accusations that oil is being smuggled into Israel through Jordan.

During a meeting with an Iraqi media delegation, the minister of state for media affairs and communications said these accusations are entirely baseless and intended to undermine Jordanian-Iraqi relations.

Majali called the rumours a "conspiracy" against Jordan, asking rhetorically how the Kingdom could smuggle oil to Israel while it needs every drop of it.

Responding to a question on difficulties facing Iraqis at airports and border crossings, he said since 2003, Jordan has witnessed a large influx of Iraqis, which was beyond its capacity. Because of this, it had to put controls in place to regulate their entry into the Kingdom.

On an expected visit by Prime Minister Awn Khasawneh to Iraq to examine several issues including the reexport of Iraqi fuel via Aqaba, Majali said: "I am not sure about the date of the visit."

He stressed that Jordan is looking forward to the visit, noting that the coming month will witness a boost in the relations between the two counties.

Majali referred to an investment in a gas field on the Iraqi-Jordanian borders that the two sides are going to look into, pointing out that the venture will provide Jordan with some of its fuel needs. In reply to a question about the presence of Raghad, the daughter of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, in Jordan, he said she is here for humanitarian reasons.

He expressed Jordan's interest in developing its already strong relations with Iraq.

On the two countries' stance vis--vis the situation in Syria, he said Jordan and Iraq have a similar position as both are against foreign intervention and closing the borders with Syria. They also support all efforts to end the suffering of the Syrian people, he noted.