AMMAN, Jordan (AP) - Troops from the United States, Britain and Arab countries took part in war games in southern Jordan on Monday, diplomats said, and the government stressed the exercise had nothing to do with preparations for a possible U.S. attack on Iraq.

Jordan previously said the war games were due to start around mid-October and continue through early November. Monday, officials refused to answer repeated calls by The Associated Press seeking comment. A Jordan-based diplomatic source, insisting on anonymity, confirmed the desert maneuvers started Monday.

Information Minister Mohammad Affash Adwan said recently the exercise involved armies from several Arab countries, including Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.

A British Embassy source, also speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press that British forces were also taking part in the drills at an unspecified location in Jordan's southern desert. No other details were immediately available.

Issues relating to the Jordanian military are usually not made public, but the added caution Monday indicated that the government was trying to keep a low profile on the war games to avoid sending a wrong signal to Iraq, its main trade partner.

Adwan and other Cabinet officials have stressed over the last two weeks that the drills were routine and periodical and have nothing to do with developments in the region - a reference to possible U.S. military action against Iraq.

Jordan, like other Arab countries, opposes an attack on Iraq, saying it may destabilize the volatile Middle East. Jordan is a longtime U.S. ally, but also has close business ties with Iraq. Two-way trade with Baghdad reached $700 million last year. Jordan also receives all its oil needs from Iraq.