Jordan says relations with Syrian regime heading in 'right direction'

Jordan is one of the few Arab countries not to have closed its embassy in Damascus and the Syrian diplomatic mission in Amman remains open.

The two countries share a 370 kilometre border with each other but most crossing points have been closed since the start of Syria's war in 2011.

"Our relations with the Syrian state and regime are going in the right direction," Jordan's government spokesman Mohamed Momani said on television on Friday night.

Momani highlighted the "stability" of the situation in southern Syria, across the border from Jordan.

The spokesman, who is also minister for information, said his remarks were "a very important message that everyone should hear".

A fragile ceasefire was brokered by the United States, Russia and Jordan in the southern Syrian provinces of Daraa, Quneitra and Suwayda in July, but there have been numerous reports of heavy regime shelling.

Russia and Iran, the Syrian regime's main allies, and opposition-backer Turkey agreed in May to create four safe zones in Syria in a deal aimed at bringing a lasting truce.

"The ceasefire is holding, and we hope there will soon be additional measures to consolidate stability and security in Syria," said Momani.

"If the current situation continues and southern Syria stabilises, it would allow for the reopening of the crossing points between the two states," he added.

Jordan's economy has been severely affected by the closure of borders with Iraq and Syria, which are both at war.

The United Nations says Jordan is hosting more than 650,000 Syrian refugees, while the kingdom puts their actual number at 1.4 million.