US Military To Expand Presence In Australia

President Barack Obama and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard are announcing a new agreement to expand the U.S. military presence in Australia, outlining plans for up to 250 military personnel by the middle of 2012.

Gillard says the expansion will strengthen its cooperation in the region with the U.S. and the military presence will grow to a full force of about 2,500 military personnel.

President Barack Obama says the new agreement with strengthen security throughout the region.

The move, along with previously disclosed plans to deploy military ships to Singapore, show the region's growing concern about China's more aggressive stance in recent years.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)