ISLAMABAD (AP) — The U.S. ambassador to Pakistan says Washington is complying with Islamabad’s demand to vacate an air base that has been used by American drones.
Pakistan gave the U.S. until Dec. 11 to vacate Shamsi air base in southwest Baluchistan province after NATO airstrikes killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.
Ambassador Cameron Munter said in an interview with local TV on Monday that the U.S. is doing everything it can to vacate Shamsi by the deadline.
The move is not expected to significantly curtail U.S. drone attacks in Pakistan since the base was only used to service drones that had mechanical or weather difficulties.
The U.S. does not publicly acknowledge the drone program in Pakistan. But American officials have said privately that the strikes have killed many militants.
