NATO countries are planning to intensify the use of the air base at Manas airport near Bishkek for the anti-terrorist operation, Special Representative of the NATO Secretary General for Central Asia and the Caucasus Robert Simmons has said. He told a Monday news conference in Bishkek that the use of the air base will be increased. He said NATO and the United States are determined to continue their military presence in Afghanistan until the complete restoration of peace there. He said the effort in Afghanistan helps to prevent the spread of extremism in Central Asia and further in the world. To this end the United States and NATO will be using military bases in Central Asia that are meant to support troops in Afghanistan, he added. (Interfax)