Iraq asks Australia to train spies: minister

The Australian government said on Monday that Iraq has asked Australia to consider training intelligence officials for the war-torn Middle East country.

Iraqi National Security Adviser Qassim Da'ud made the request to Australian Defense Minister Robert Hill during the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) Gulf Summit in Bahrain.

Da'ud also asked Australia to continue the training of Iraq's police and military forces.

"Minister Da'ud wants to train a group of new young leaders, possibly within Australia, in the field of intelligence and security," Hill said in a statement.

"Minister Da'ud also said there were good opportunities for Australian companies to win construction contracts in Iraq in the coming months with a number of major projects about to get under way," Hill said.

Iraq's interim government is working on developing a major port area in southern Iraq as well as agricultural, irrigation and salinity projects which could create opportunities for Australian companies, he said.

The summit talks followed Hill's visit to Baghdad on the weekend where he met Australian Defense Force personnel as well as leaders of the Multi National Force.

Australia is a staunch ally of the United States in the Iraq war and still maintains around 900 military personnel in and out of Iraq, including trainers.

Source: Xinhua