Jordan's main opposition party, the Islamic Action Front (IAF), Monday, March 3, called in a statement on all Jordanian people to refrain from offering any assistance to U.S. troops deployed in the kingdom, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.

Jordanian Prime Minister Ali Abu Ragheb confirmed last week that a "few hundred" U.S. troops were now in Jordan to man and train Jordanian troops on the use of three Patriot anti-missile batteries, deployed in the kingdom.

"After the government's clear announcement concerning the presence of hundreds of American troops in the country ... you are required not to provide these soldiers any services," a statement signed by IAF chief Hamza Mansur said.

"He who provides any assistance to invading forces is considered a partner in the aggression on Iraq and the entire (Arab and Muslim) nation and this action is banned under Islamic law," the statement said.

"Do not allow yourself to become the hand that offers them food, leases them property or vehicles, or any other kind of assistance, no matter how much they are willing to pay for these services," the statement added.

It warned that such a price would jeopardize religious principles, dignity and nationalism as well as the future of the coming generations.

The statement was issued by the Anti-normalization and Home Protection Committee, headed by Mansur that represents 14 opposition parties and 14 trade unions that are opposed to normalization with Israel, Washington's key ally in the region, and war on Iraq.

The same committee last week issued a statement urging the Jordanian, Arab and Muslim people to boycott U.S. goods to express their protest of U.S. plans to wage war on Iraq to disarm the regime of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

On Thursday, Abu Ragheb confirmed the presence in Jordan of a "few hundred" U.S. troops to man Patriot batteries deployed in the kingdom in February, but reiterated that Jordan will not be used as a launch pad for attacks on Iraq or participate in any military action against its eastern neighbor.

Abu Ragheb likewise said that Jordan will not allow British planes to land on its territory for refueling if they are used in a military strike on Iraq.