WORLD BRIEFING / KYRGYZSTAN

Kyrgyzstan’s parliament unanimously approved a deal allowing the U.S. to continue using an air base crucial to military operations in Afghanistan, months after ordering American forces out by August.

Lawmakers voted 75-0 to ratify the accord, providing a boost to the U.S.-led coalition as it ramps up military operations against Taliban and Al Qaeda militants and struggles to maintain other supply routes into Afghanistan. Five deputies abstained.

Approval was expected after Kyrgyz authorities announced a deal last Tuesday to let the U.S. use the Manas air base as a transit center at more than triple the previous rent. The deal apparently will continue to allow the U.S. to transport weaponry, ammunition and troops as well as nonlethal military supplies.