The spike in violence in Syria and fears that Damascus could use chemical weapons has triggered alarm bells in Jordan that it could be dragged into the conflict with "severe" repercussions, analysts say.

According to sources close to the government, "daily meetings are being held to examine the possibility of dispatching special forces if and when the Syrian regime falls to secure its chemical and biological weapons."

This however could not be immediately confirmed by government officials.

But it is clear that Jordan has been closely monitoring developments in neighbouring Syria.

"Under the current circumstances, it is possible that Jordan would take such a dangerous move," Oreib Rintawi, an analyst who heads the Al-Quds Centre for Political studies, told the AFP news agency.

"I do not think Jordan is capable of doing that. Amman needs an Arab and international umbrella. Otherwise, the repercussions will be severe."

"If Jordan interferes, it will be doing so on behalf of the United States and Israel, and this we do not need. There are clear indications Jordan could facilitate a military intervention in Syria," Labib Kamhawi, a political analyst, said.

-- AFP