Ammon News - WASHINGTON — The United States said Friday it will commit 275 million dollars to help parched ally Jordan improve its water supply.

The grant, to be signed Monday by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, will "increase the supply of available water" in the country, a State Department statement said.

The project will look at the efficiency of water delivery as well as treatment and collection of wastewater.

The assistance comes through the US Millennium Challenge Corporation, which awards money to developing nations that meet criteria on both economic and social freedoms.

Jordan is one of the closest US partners in the Middle East, including in the protracted Israeli-Palestinian peace process

* Agancies