Iraq says it will buy 36 US fighter jets

Baghdad: Iraq`s prime minister says his
country will purchase 36 fighter jets from the United States,
more than doubling the number Iraq was previously planning to
buy.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki told reporters on Saturday in
Baghdad that Iraq needs to be able to protect its sovereignty.

Iraq had previously planned to purchase 16 F-16
fighter jets but the plans were put on hold earlier this year.

Iraqi officials said they were going to use the money
instead to pay for food rations.

Al-Maliki said a delegation from the Iraqi Air Force
will head to the US to facilitate the deal.

PTI