A Syrian political dissident says Jordan has refused to let him stay in that country.
Maamoun al-Homsi is a former member of Syria's parliament. He has lobbied for the release of political prisoners in Syria. He said Jordanian officials told him this week that he could not stay in the kingdom because Jordan does not want to antagonize its neighbors.
It is not clear where Homsi is now. He made the statements in telephone conversations with reporters.
Homsi said he will continue to work for freedom from oppression.
Syrian authorities arrested Homsi in 2001 for advocating more political freedom. He served five years in prison before moving abroad.
Syria recently launched a crackdown on government critics who call for better relations with Lebanon. The U.N. has asked Syria to designate its border with Lebanon and establish formal diplomatic ties with that country. Syria has accused the U.N. of meddling. Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
