US evacuates airbase in Pakistan

The US army has taken steps to evacuate an airfield in Pakistan used by American drones. Following NATO airstrikes last month in which 24 Pakistani soldiers were killed, Pakistan ordered the closure of the airfield by December 11.

Meanwhile, Pakistan on Tuesday temporarily recalled some troops from border posts meant to coordinate activity with international forces in Afghanistan.

Obama on Sunday called Pakistani president to offer condolences over the NATO airstrike.

The attack provoked a crisis in US-Pakistan relations. Pakistan has recently boycotted an international conference on the future Afghanistan, a sign that the incident is also influencing ties between the two neighbours.

A NATO ministry conference on foreign affairs will open in Brussels on Wednesday and analysts say US-Pakistan ties will top the agenda.