The U.S. government committed a 48 percent increase in aid to Jordan over the next five years. In an agreement signed by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Jordanian Foreign Minister Salaheddine Al-Bashir, the Southwest Asian country is set to receive some USD660 million in annual funding until 2013. Of the amount, USD360 million will come in the form of economic support. Disbursement of funds will require approval of the U.S. Congress and the next administration. (“US aims to boost aid to Jordan” - Associated Press, Sept. 23, 2008)