Afrasianet - Jordanian Foreign Ministry spokesman Sufian Qudah said Amman had appointed an acting charge d’affaires at its embassy in Damascus.

Government sources say the diplomat has been asked to increase trade and business relations with Syria.

The sources said he would explore opportunities for Jordanian business owners and investors to help in Syria’s reconstruction.

Jordan has been without an ambassador in Syria since 2012, and despite the two countries keeping embassies open throughout the conflict, relations have been at times frosty.

Amman has been hosting rebel fighters and co-ordinating with them in southern Syria, which Jordanian officials stress was at the behest of its western allies.

Syria has been without a representative in Amman since May 2014, when Jordan expelled Bahjat Suleiman for “interference in internal affairs” and “repeated insults” to Jordan and its leadership.

In response, Syria expelled Jordan’s charge d’affaires.

Despite this, the two countries co-operated closely over their 380 kilometre border.