MADRID — The Spanish government has approved an accord permanently granting the U.S. military a presence at a southwestern base as a center for a rapid reaction force to deal with crises in Africa.
The deal approved by Spain's Cabinet on Friday allows for the U.S. to station up to 3,000 troops at Morón Air Base, up from a current 850. The number of aircraft at the base can be increased from 14 to 40.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is to visit Madrid on Sunday and Monday to sign the agreement.
Under a 1988 bilateral agreement, accords permitting U.S. presence at the base have been renewed annually. The new agreement needs to be approved by Spain's Parliament.
