Salim Osman, Jakarta – Soldiers from the United States and Indonesia should train together to strengthen military ties between the two countries, said visiting US military chief Marine General Peter Pace.

He said that putting troops through their paces side by side in military exercises would promote better military partnerships as they interact during training.

'It would be good for the two countries,' said Gen Pace, who is chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, at a press conference in the Indonesian capital.

He had earlier met President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Defence Minister Juwono Sudarsono, armed forces chief Djoko Sutyanto and the chiefs of the three services of Indonesia's armed forces.

Washington sees Indonesia as a key ally in the fight against terrorism. It restored full military ties with Jakarta little more than a year ago after cutting them over human rights abuses linked to Indonesian troops in East Timor, now named Timor Leste.

In his talks with Dr Yudhoyono, Gen Pace said, they also discussed the possibility of peacekeeping duties by Indonesian troops in Lebanon. In addition, he said: "We talked about the possibility of having more officers and non-commissioned officers from Indonesia for training in the US."

The general responded candidly to questions about the US reaction to Indonesia's move to diversify its military purchases and reduce its reliance on the United States.

"Indonesia is a sovereign country," he said. "Your government made a decision which it thinks is the best for your country." But the US, he said, would want to compete for the defence contracts.

He was comfortable with the state of military relations between the two countries. 'The US has shown that when Indonesia needs our help, we will come and that when you no longer need the help, we will leave.'

He said that both sides expressed their mutual concern over the development of nuclear power in Iran.