Obama looking to aid Jordan

President Barack Obama wants the US Congress to sign off on more financial aid for Jordan, which is bearing the brunt of Syrian refugees.

President Barack Obama says he'll ask Congress to approve new financial aid for Jordan.

Jordan is a key Arab ally in the Middle East whose fragile economy is being stretched by the influx of refugees fleeing the civil war in next-door Syria.

Obama announced late on Friday that he will seek $US1 billion ($A1.12 billion) in loan guarantees. That would be on top of a $US1.25 billion loan guarantee Congress approved last year.

He'll also ask for a new, five-year funding agreement for Jordan. Officials did not immediately say what that would be worth. An existing agreement expires in September.

A loan guarantee essentially makes the US responsible for repaying the money should Jordan default.

Obama announced his intentions in California, where he is meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah II.


1 min read

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Source: AAP



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