US hopes of keeping vital airbase are dashed

The decision to close a key US air force base on the borders of Afghanistan is final, Kyrgyzstan said today.

Kyrgyz National Security Council chief Adakhan Madumarov said there was no doubt that the base, considered an important part of the Nato operations in Afghanistan, will be shut.

He was confident of parliament’s support for the decision when it considers the move next week.

Mr Madumarov’s announcement appears to dash US hopes of securing a last-minute reprieve for the Manas air base located just outside the Kyrgyz capital.

Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev announced the closure of the base earlier this week on a visit to Russia after securing more than $2bn (€1.5bn) in financial aid and credit from Moscow.