NATO to help strengthen Iraq's security, defense

NATO on Friday decided to offer a defense capacity building package for Iraq, aiming to help strengthen the country's security and defense sector, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement.

This decision was taken by the North Atlantic Council, the political decision-making body of NATO.

Stoltenberg said the program has been developed upon Iraq's request and in close consultation with the Iraqi authorities.

The package includes measures of support in seven priority areas, including advice on security sector reform, countering improvised explosive devices, explosive ordnance disposal and de-mining, civil military planning, cyber defense, military medicine and medical assistance, military training and civil emergency planning.

NATO and Iraqi experts will work on the details of the training program which will be held in Turkey and Jordan, according to the statement.

NATO as a group partly participated in the coalition fighting ISIL, which was led by the United States.

As to the question on whether NATO would become more involved, Stoltenberg stated on Tuesday after the North Atlantic Council meeting: "We are also projecting stability without always deploying large or high, big numbers of forces, combat forces."

He highlighted the importance to build capacity among the countries in the region to increase their capacity to defend themselves and to fight terrorists.