Canada commits 100 mln USD in assistance to Jordan

Canada announced Wednesday that it will supply 120 million Canadian dollars (some 100 million U.S. dollars) in assistance to Jordan to enhance the Middle East country's security against the Islamic State (IS) militants, which seize large swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria.

The announcement was made here by Canadian Prime Minister Steven Harper after his meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan, who arrived in Ottawa for a one-day visit following his visit to San Francisco, the United States.

During their meeting, the two leaders discussed the Canada- Jordan bilateral relationship and a broad range of regional and international matters, including the fight against the IS, or ISIS, militants and the influx of hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees into Jordan.

Harper also announced a series of initiatives that will assist Jordan with security and development challenges resulting from IS actions and the Syrian crisis.

"Canada is proud to stand alongside Jordan and our other Coalition allies in the fight against ISIS, and to work together at mitigating the suffering this barbaric terrorist group is causing innocent civilians in the region," Harper said.

For his part, King Abdullah said Canada is a vital ally to his country and the region.

Jordan and Canada are among the allies conducting bombing missions against IS targets inside Syria.

The Middle East country has also borne a heavy load from Syria' s civil war, now in its fifth year, and is home to an estimated 625,000 refugees. Endite