AMMAN - The government on Saturday voiced its concern over the situation in Syria and called for dialogue to end violence and bloodshed in the northern neighbour.

Meanwhile, a senior official denied as “false” a news report of a dispute between Amman and Damascus over reported Syrian accusations that Jordan was involved in supporting the Syrian opposition.

In a statement to The Jordan Times yesterday, Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications and Government Spokesperson Abdullah Abu Rumman described as baseless a news report that Syrian President Bashar Assad has accused Jordan of “smuggling arms” for anti-government groups which have been protesting against the regime since March.

A crackdown on the rallies and violence has claimed the lives of hundreds of people. Human rights activists set the figure at more than 2,400 citizens killed by Syrian security forces, many others injured, in addition to thousands of arrests.

The Kuwaiti Al Qabas daily on Saturday reported that Assad has turned down an initiative by the Jordanian side to end bloodshed, accusing Jordan of “collaborating with the opposition” by providing them with arms.

“This initiative has never existed and we have not been contacted by the Syrian authorities over any accusations of any kind. Jordan respects the integrity and sovereignty of Syria and we do not interfere in the internal affairs of any country,” the spokesperson said.

“Our position with respect to the escalation in the situation there is clear and our concern is growing,” the official added.

“The government has voiced and still voices regret over the increasing number of victims and calls for sparing the lives of the brotherly Syrian people.”