Jordan expels Syrian ambassador

In a sharp downturn in relations between the two Arab neighbors, Jordan Monday gave the Syrian ambassador Bahjat Suleiman 24 hours to leave Amman, after he accused the kingdom and its Gulf allies of abetting the West against Damascus. Suleiman, a former general and intelligence chief, is a close associate of Bashar Assd. His expulsion comes as Jordan conducts a large joint military exercise with the US.