Kyrgyzstan has said its decision to shut a US air base is final, dealing a blow to Washington's efforts to retain what has been a major staging post for US forces fighting in Afghanistan.
The US said it is still in talks with Kyrgyzstan about keeping the Manas base in the impoverished former Soviet republic.
Kyrgyz government spokesman Aibek Sultangaziyev said: ‘The US embassy and the (Kyrgyz) Foreign Ministry are exchanging opinions on this, but there are no discussions on keeping the base.’
Kyrgyzstan's stance has set a tough challenge for new US President Barack Obama, who plans to send additional troops to Afghanistan to try and boost efforts to defeat Taliban forces.
Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev announced the closure of the base this week after securing more than $2bn in financial aid and credit from Russia at talks in Moscow.
The announcement left the US scrambling to find alternative supply routes through other parts of Central Asia for shipments bound for landlocked Afghanistan.
A Western diplomatic source said separately the US is close to a deal with Uzbekistan that would also allow Washington to open a new railway supply route for its troops in Afghanistan.
The US, also seeking to reinforce supply routes to Afghanistan that bypass Pakistan where convoys face security risks, says it is still hopeful the base can be retained.
Russia has long exerted pressure on the small, mountainous, Central Asian country to evict the US forces.
NATO says it is concerned about Russia's possible involvement in the Kyrgyz decision.
Asked if Washington had made any additional offers over the base, Kyrgyz Prime Minister Igor Chudinov said: ‘We have not received any proposals.’ He says Kyrgyzstan wants to shut the base because it disagrees with US methods in Afghanistan.
The Kyrgyz government needs parliamentary approval to proceed with the closure, but this is seen as a formality as the chamber is controlled by a pro-presidential party. A simple majority of votes is needed.
Officials have said parliament will vote next week.
