Jordan is ready to dispatch forces to Iraq

In a new stand coincided with the authority turnover to the Iraqis, the Jordanian King Abdullah II expressed his country's readiness to send forces to Iraq if the Iraqi Interim forces asked for that. But the King added in an interview with the BBC TV that he did not discuss the issue with the Iraqis.

The King stressed that the Jordanians are not the one who are responsible for bringing back security to Iraq. He said that this issue was not discussed. He said " I refrained in my previous stand from dispatching forces to Iraq because of the history of relations between the two countries."

He continued "Now as the Iraqis have a government and a beginning of road, we do hope to be conducive to full democracy and sovereignty. I do think that if this government asks us for help, we will find it difficult to refuse this request." The Jordanian King described the new leaders of Iraq as " strong, brave and generous." He said that the basic challenge facing them is to achieve internal security and stability.