C-17 Globemaster takes off past a KC-135 Stratotanker at Manas Air Base near Kyrgyzstan's capital Bishkek, February 13, 2009. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

BISHKEK (Reuters) - Kyrgyzstan’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday it had sent the United States ambassador a formal notice demanding Washington close its military air base in the country and giving U.S. troops 180 days to pack up and leave.

“Today, on February 20, the note... was sent by Minister (Kadyrbek) Sarbayev to U.S. Ambassador Tatiana Gfoeller,” the ministry said in a statement.