The United States on Wednesday granted Jordan, a staunch Middle East ally, an extra $50 million in aid to bolster its economy, bringing total
assistance this year to over $500 million, officials said.

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After the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, Washington doubled its annual grants to Jordan to around $450 million - $250 million in economic aid and $200 million in military assistance.

U.S. ambassador to Jordan, David Hale, told reporters the $50 million cash transfer would go to finance major projects in water, tourism and schools along with easing the kingdom's $8.4 billion foreign debt burden.

The supplemental aid was a reward for Amman's strong backing of U.S. policies in the region, officials say.

"This is very a tangible result of America's commitment to our longstanding partnership with Jordan and its people," Hale said.

Amman received in 2003 a major $700 million aid package to cushion thecountry from the impact of the war.

The U.S. aid programme to Jordan is among the largest in the world and the kingdom has received a total of over $7 billion, including $4 billion in economic aid and $3 billion in military help, American officials say.