AMMAN, May 20 (Xinhua) -- German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen said Saturday that Jordan has a potential to host German troops currently located in Turkey.
The minister said no decision has been made yet in this regard.
Referring to a Jordanian air base, the minister said it holds potential as an alternative for German troops located in Turkey's Incirlik air base.
"We were very grateful for a very positive reception and a lot of support," the minister said at a press conference during World Economic Forum at the Dead Sea.
The minister said it is important to be prepared "in case we have to move."
However, the minister noted that no final decision has been made yet as discussions were still going on with Turkey.
She stressed it was very important for the German parliament members to be able to visit their troops.
Germany said recently it was considering withdrawing its military installations in Incirlik Air base, which was deployed for efforts against Islamic State (IS) group in Syria, after a delegation of German lawmakers were blocked from visiting the country's soldiers stationed at the base.
German government is mulling to transfer six Tornado reconnaissance planes, a refueling plane and 250 troops stationed in Turkey to Jordan.
Turkey's reaction comes after several Turkish soldiers and their families, all stationed at NATO facilities in Germany and feared persecution for alleged involvement in failed July 15 coup attempt, have been reportedly granted asylum in a preliminary decision.
