BBC News Online: World: Asia-Pacific

Kazahkstan rejects Russian air strike threat

The President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, has said he sees no need for Russia to carry out its threatened air strikes against suspected Chechen bases in Afghanistan.

Mr Nazarbayev's comments echo a similar statement by the leaders of neighbouring Uzbekistan.

The Taleban authorities in Afghanistan have said there are no Chechen bases in Afghanistan and warned Central Asian countries against allowing Russia to use their air space for any attacks.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service