A top official from a regional security group dominated by Russia and China says the United States should set a deadline for withdrawing its forces from Central Asia.
Shanghai Cooperation Organization Executive Secretary Zhang Deguang says the group wants to know the timeline for a pullout from member states Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, but said the request is not an ultimatum. He spoke in Moscow, following a meeting of the six-nation group.
The organization issued a similar call in July. But Kyrgyzstan rejected the demand that U.S. forces leave its territory, saying they can remain as long as necessary to support operations in Afghanistan.
Uzbekistan told the United States to get its troops out by January.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is made up of Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Some information for this report provided by AP.
