The Kyrgyz parliament ratified an agreement between the governments of Kyrgyzstan and the United States to launch transit center for military operations in Afghanistan, RIA Novosti reported.
On June 22, the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers signed an agreement with the U.S. to launch a transit center to support international coalition forces in Afghanistan and also an agreement on cooperation regarding joint fight against terrorism.
Transit center will be provided with the infrastructure of Manas base of the antiterrorist coalition which was opened at the international airport in the capital of Kyrgyzstan in December 2001 on the mandate of the UN. It was expected to be withdrawn until August 18 after the termination of an agreement with the United States and 11 countries of the antiterrorist coalition.
The Kyrgyz government attributed the decision on withdrawal of the U.S. forces to stabile situation in Afghanistan and to economic reasons. The decision was followed by the Russian loan of $2 billion for Kyrgyzstan.
Non-military cargo will be transported via the transit center