Sofia- US and Bulgarian troops Monday began a seven-week joint exercise to practice fighting terrorists in places like Afghanistan and Iraq, the Bulgarian Defence Ministry said.

Up to 900 US and 300 Bulgarian soldiers are taking part in the drill, dubbed Bulgarian Panther 2008, at the Novo Selo Training Area in the south-east of the former Soviet-bloc nation.

Goals of the exercise, due to end on October 17, include making it easier for Bulgarian and US forces to operate together.

Bulgaria, a key new NATO ally in south-eastern Europe, has soldiers serving in the NATO-led security force in Afghanistan and the US-led coalition in Iraq.

Under agreements pushed by President George W Bush's administration, US forces have secured long-term rights to use four Bulgarian bases, including two air bases.

Neighbouring Romania has a related deal with the US.

Both countries joined the NATO alliance in 2004 and are part of a Pentagon plan known as Joint Task Force East, which calls for some 3,500 US troops to deploy to Bulgaria and Romania for six months at a time. (dpa)