The Kyrgyz opposition leader who claims to be the leader of a temporary "caretaker government" said today that a key air base in Kyrgyzstan will remain open to United States military forces.
Roza Otunbaeva, whose claim to power follows the apparent ouster of President Kurmanbek Bakiev on April 6 in a day of violent upheaval, said U.S. forces can continue to use the Manas air base to supply NATO troops in Afghanistan.
The air base is considered vital to the campaign against the Taliban.
compiled from agency reports