AMMAN, June 9 (Reuters) - Jordan said on Monday it would name a new ambassador to Iraq soon to help strengthen ties with the government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

"We now see in this phase the need to support and back Iraq politically as we see intensive efforts to attain reconciliation that would bring stability," government spokesman Nasser Joudeh told reporters.

Washington has long urged Sunni Arab states to beef up embassies in Baghdad as a sign of support for the Shi'ite-led government but also to counter Iranian influence.

Both the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain announced earlier this month they would both soon name ambassadors to Baghdad in steps that ease Iraq's isolation in the Arab world.

No Arab country has had a permanent ambassador in Baghdad since Egypt's envoy was kidnapped and killed shortly after arriving in 2005.

Security worries prevented the return of Jordan's ambassador after an attack on the embassy in August 2003 killed 17 people.

Jordan gave crucial logistical support for the U.S.-led war that toppled former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein in 2003.

(Writing by Suleiman al-Khalidi; Reuters Messaging; suleiman.al-khalidi.reuters.com@reuters.net; Amman Newsroom +9626 4623776)

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