MANAS, Kyrgyzstan, June 15 (SPA) - A U.S. air base inKyrgyzstan, used as a hub for operations in Afghanistan, hasstarted to shut down and will close by mid-August as ordered bythe Central Asian state, its new commander said on Monday. The ex-Soviet republic gave the United States six monthsfrom February to shut the Manas air base, but U.S. officialshave expressed hope Kyrgyzstan could still change its mind, according to a report of Reuters. Speaking to reporters after taking over as the new commanderat the base, Colonel Christopher Bence said the facility hadstarted to wind down operations. "We have started shipping equipment and supplies to otherlocations," he told reporters after a change-of-command ceremonyat the base outside the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek. Asked when U.S. forced would leave, he added: "On Aug. 18 asthe Kyrgyz government has asked us."--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/674621