The Kyrgyz parliament has voted overwhelmingly to close a US military base on its territory that serves as a key supply route for coalition forces in neighbouring Afghanistan. The vote to close the US air base at Manas passed through parliament by a wide margin, with 78 out of a total 81 lawmakers present voting for the closure. One MP voted against and two abstained. The base closure would strain US supply lines at a time when US President Barack Obama is preparing to nearly double the 36,000-strong force in Afghanistan and amid increasing attacks on supply routes through Pakistan.
* AFP