Bishkek, Rabi'II 20, 1433, Mar 13, 2012, SPA - U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta arrived in Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday. Panetta, speaking to reporters en route to Bishkek, said he would stress the importance of an air base (used as a transit route) in Kyrgyzstan during his talks in Kyrgyzstan, where he will meet the defense minister. "I want to thank them for their cooperation and ensure that relationship can continue into the future," Panetta was quoted as saying by foreign news agencies' reports. Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev wants the U.S. military to vacate the base when its lease expires in mid-2014. --SPA 15:40 LOCAL TIME 12:40 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/979182