Only Jordan and the United States are to take part in this year's Eager Lion military exercise, commanders said on Sunday, compared with the 18 nations which participated last year. A total of 6,000 troops will undertake 10 days of manoeuvres in the kingdom - 3,000 from each country and including special forces as well as air, ground and naval forces, Brigadier General Ralph Groover said. Jordan's Brigadier General Fahd al-Damen said nothing should be read into the absence of other participating countries this year.