The US Embassy in Amman said the bulk of the grant, $184 million, is aimed at helping Jordan lower its international debt and advance its political reforms.

Thousands of Jordanians took to the streets this year to demand greater democracy and lower living costs.

Officials at the signing ceremony on Wednesday said the US aid will also be used for projects to improve health services and water management.

Jordan is a close US ally and one of the top recipients of American aid worldwide. US economic assistance to Jordan over the past 60 years has totaled $7.4 billion.