The prime minister of Kyrgyzstan says talks are continuing with the United States over a key military base that the Central Asian country's president has said will be closed.
The base is an important element of the U.S. and NATO military campaign in Afghanistan and its closure could significantly impede the anti-terror coalition's efforts, reported AP.
Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev announced Tuesday that the base would be closed. A bill calling for ending the U.S. lease has been sent to Parliament.
But Prime Minister Igor Chudinov on Thursday said the government was "in the process of negotiations with the Americans." Debate of the closure bill in Parliament has been delayed until next week.