Singapore commits military aid to US in Iraq

Singapore, one of the US's steadfast allies in south-east Asia, agreed on Wednesday to send transport planes and ships to Iraq next week to assist US-led efforts to restore stability to the country.

The announcement comes a day after the US and Singapore agreed to deepen their defence and security ties during a stopover visit by President George W. Bush to the city-state.

Singapore also agreed to soon begin negotiating a new defence framework agreement with the US, including military exercises, the sharing of defence technology and policy consultations to deal with security threats posed by terrorist groups and weapons of mass destruction.

Singapore's contribution to the Iraq operation will include C-130 Hercules transport planes and Singapore-made large landing craft known as landing ship tanks, Singapore's defence ministry said on Wednesday. There are no plans, however, to deploy military troops. Defence officials suggest that Singapore will focus on providing logistics support.

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