Iraq official says Baghdad open to U.S. military aid

AP

BAGHDAD (AP) — A senior Iraqi official says his country is open to greater American military cooperation as U.S. commanders explore ways to boost security assistance to the country.

Ali al-Moussawi, the media adviser for Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki, said Thursday that Baghdad would welcome increased arms sales and U.S. training teams to help it confront rising regional instability and terrorist threats.

Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs Martin Dempsey said Wednesday that Pentagon commanders have been told to look for ways to help improve Iraq's and Lebanon's military capabilities.

He said the assistance would not involve sending U.S. combat troops, but could involve the U.S. sending in training teams and accelerating sales of weapons and equipment.