The embassy said in a statement that the exercise, dubbed "Edged Mallet 03", involve an exchange of tactical knowledge based on the unique terrain found along the coast between the US Marine and Kenyan forces.

"Additionally, hundreds of local Kenyans will have the opportunity to receive medical and dental treatment at a number of preannounced sites close to the military training area," the statement said.

The move came barely days after the terrorist attacks in Mombasa where a suicide bombing killed 16 people and a failed missile attack on an Israeli airliner with 261 passengers and 10 crew members aboard.

But the embassy explained that the exercise aims to refine and strengthen the already robust military to military relationships between the two countries.

"All of these activities and training events are specifically designed to enhance the ability of Kenyan and US forces to work together effectively," it said.

A previous exercise in the 'Edged Mallet' series took place in Kenya in February this year when some 3,000 US soldiers aboard three warships and 250 Kenyan troops from naval units attended thejoint military exercise near Mombasa and areas bordering Somalia.

(Xinhua News Agency December 3, 2002)