Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev said Tuesday he agreed to allow the use of the Central Asian state's airspace after a request from the United States and talks with other former Soviet republics.
"The US turned to us with the request to allow the use of our airspace," the Kyrgyz leader said.
The United States is widely expected to be preparing possible retaliatory strikes against Osama bin Laden and Afghanistan, where the Saudi-born extremist has been living as a guest.
According to a regional post-Soviet security agreement, which binds Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan "we have a united airspace," Akayev said.
"We held consultations and gave a positive answer. We will offer the use of our airspace together," the Kyrgyz leader said.
Kyrgyzstan together with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have announced they would allow the use of their airspace after Russia said it was open to provide airspace for humanitarian missions to Afghanistan -- BISHKEK (AFP)
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