Iraqi exiles begin training to assist US military

IRAQI exiles who want to help the US military in its campaign against Saddam Hussein will report for training this week, defence officials said.

The first batch of opposition members who have volunteered to serve with US forces have been told by the Pentagon to assemble at marshalling centres in the next few days, officials said on condition of anonymity.

The call-up of recruits kicks off the largest-known US effort to train Saddam's enemies since passage of the 1998 Iraq Liberation Act, which called for his overthrow and provided $97 million to train and equip his opponents.