U.S. security officials will begin training the Palestinian presidential guard soon in an effort to support the government of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, the State Department said yesterday.

Under an agreement signed this month by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayad, the officers would study and conduct VIP-protection exercises under the State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security.

The guards' training will run from autumn into early 2008 and is part of U.S. and international efforts to bolster Palestinian security and improve law and order.

The program aims to help the PA "deliver security for the Palestinian people and fight terrorism, build confidence between the parties, and ultimately help to meet the security needs of Palestinians and Israelis alike," the State Department said.