Jordan to name ambassador to Iraq soon

Amman: Jordan said on Monday it would name a new ambassador to Iraq soon to help strengthen ties with the government of Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki.

"We now see in this phase the need to support and back Iraq politically as we see intensive efforts to attain reconciliation that would bring stability," government spokesman Nasser Joudeh told reporters.

Washington has long urged Arab states to beef up embassies in Baghdad as a sign of support for the government.

The UAE and Bahrain announced earlier this month they would also name ambassadors to Baghdad.

No Arab country has had a permanent ambassador in Baghdad since Egypt's ambassador was kidnapped and killed shortly after arriving in 2005.