Brussels, Nov 5, SPA -- Iraq's interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi visited NATO headquarters for the first time Friday as military experts from the Atlantic alliance mull plans to expand a training mission for the country'smilitary. Allawi met envoys from the 26-nation alliance which wasbitterly divided over the U.S.-led war in Iraq last yearwhen France and Germany led opposition to the invasion. Military experts are studying plans to expand that missionto include 300 instructors and hundreds more guards andsupport staff to run a military academy for Iraqi officersoutside Baghdad. After his talks at NATO, Allawi is scheduled to joinEuropean Union leaders at their summit across town. The United States is pushing for the NATO training centerto be operational by the end of this year. Last week, NATO's top operational commander, U.S. MarineGen. James L. Jones, said the academy should be able toturn out about 1,000 officers a year. He said at least 16of the 26 NATO allies had indicated willingness tocontribute troops in Iraq for the training mission. Others will help train troops outside the country, headded. A first group of about 20 Iraqi officers began aweeklong course Monday at NATO's Joint Warfare center inNorway. NATO is also helping to coordinate international effortsto supply military equipment to Iraq's armed forces.--SPA1333 Local Time 1033 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/215539