Accessibility links

Breaking News
News

Kyrgyz Lawmakers Vote to Oust US Allies from Base


The Kyrgyz parliament voted overwhelmingly Friday to evict U.S. allies from a key military base, after ordering U.S. forces out last month.

Lawmakers voted to cancel an agreement that allows 11 allies to use the Manas air base, a key staging point for the U.S.-led coalition fighting Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan.

Earlier this week, Krygyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev told the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) he is ready for a new proposal from the U.S. government on its security efforts in Afghanistan. But Thursday, Kyrgyz officials say the government will not reverse its decision to evict U.S. forces from the base.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he believes the issue is not "closed" and the U.S. will keeping trying to reach a new agreement with Kyrgyzstan.

Manas Air Base is currently the only U.S. military supply route in Central Asia. Gates says the U.S. is considering other supply routes as an alternative.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.

XS
SM
MD
LG