Jordan has finalized a defense agreement with the United States that allows US forces, aircraft and vehicles to freely enter the kingdom, French news agency AFP reported Sunday.
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The report cited Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi as telling parliament that the defense deal was the result of "long negotiations."
Arab media said that the agreement was signed in January and the Jordanian government approved it last month in an unusual move that bypassed parliament.
Jordanian news site Ammon said that the terms of the agreement, stipulate that "US forces may possess weapons and circulate with them on Jordanian territory while exercising their duties."
The deal further states that US forces "may transport and stock equipment" and that American personnel, aircraft, and ships are authorized to "freely enter and exit Jordanian territory."
Islamist lawmaker Saleh al-Armuti slammed the deal, saying that it "violates the constitution and affects Jordan's sovereignty."
Safadi dismissed the criticism, saying the treaty "in no way affects Jordan's sovereignty, and everything it contains is subject to Jordanian law and is compatible with international law. "The agreement does not authorize American forces to carry out combat actions within the kingdom," he told lawmakers.
Safadi reportedly stressed that the agreement "aims to frame defense cooperation and reinforce US support for defense programs and the kingdom's security and stability through military training and equipment."
The US State Department considers the Hashemite kingdom "a vital US partner on a wide range of regional security issues."
According to AFP, Jordan is a key recipient of American financial aid – including $425 million in military assistance annually.
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