AMMAN — Jordan is engaged in “positive discussions” over a proposal to host a US training programme for Iraqi troops, a senior official said Sunday.
His comments come as Iraqi forces are locked in battles with anti-government militants who have gained ground in Anbar province, west of Baghdad, amid a spike in violence across the country (see separate story).
“Discussions over the proposed plan are positive,” said Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications Mohammad Momani, who is also government spokesperson.
He said no official request has been made yet and so no final decision has been taken.
Al Rai daily quoted Momani as saying that Jordan welcomes positively the US request to train Iraqi forces on its territory.
“This project is part of permanent cooperation between Jordan, Iraq and the United States to fight against terrorism in the region.”
Meanwhile, an official source familiar with the discussions told The Jordan Times that the government is inclined to agree to the plan.
On Friday, a US defence official told AFP that Washington was waiting for an agreement with Jordan or another country to go ahead with the training programme.
