Vote on US airbase closure delayed

Kyrgyzstan delayed a parliamentary vote on the closure of a US air base yesterday by agreeing to send additional paperwork to the chamber, potentially giving Washington more time to try to dissuade it.

The former Soviet republic said last week its decision to shut the Manas base, a key staging post for US-led military operations in Afghanistan, was final. However, it has yet to send Washington a formal eviction note.

"We (recommend) the government also submit other draft laws related to the closure," said Leila Sadykova, head of the parliamentary defense committee which formally approved the government's decision to shut down the base yesterday.