Jordan emphasized the role the kingdom plays as a force for stability, tolerance and peace in the Middle East during a reception celebrating its 67th anniversary of independence from British colonial rule with local guests, members of the diplomatic community and friends of Jordan at a hotel in Seoul on Monday.

“Jordan, by the grace of God and the wisdom of the Hashemite leadership, the awareness and dedication of its people, still maintains its long-established policy of development and stability in what is described as a turbulent region,” said Jordanian Ambassador to Korea Omar Al-Nahar in his welcome remarks.

Al-Nahar pointed to the fratricidal conflict in Syria, Jordan’s northern neighbor, and the Arab Spring, which ignited the civil war there two years ago.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimates 1.5 million Syrians fled the country to Jordan and three other neighboring countries ― Turkey, Lebanon and Iraq.

“Today, despite the difficult circumstances related to challenges of the Arab Spring and the current conflict situation ... we are hosting 1 million Syrian refugees,” he said.

Though the number of Syrian refugees in Jordan is closer to 400,000, according to the U.N. HCR, Jordan and Lebanon are shouldering the brunt of accepting Syrian refugees.

The U.N. projects the total number of Syrian refugees fleeing civil war will climb to 3 million by year’s end.

“Jordan will, God willing, keep its promise to secure a better life not only for Jordanians, but for all. It will always serve as a hub of tolerance, sensibility, modernity and peace,” Al-Nahar said.

By Philip Iglauer (ephilip2011@heraldcorp.com)