Prague- The Czech government Wednesday approved an agreement setting the rules for US troops at a planned missile defence base in the former Soviet-bloc country.

The Status of Forces Agreement is required for the United States to set up its first military base in Czech Republic. It complements the main US-Czech missile defence deal signed in Prague on July 8.

Czech Defence Minister Vlasta Parkanova said she and US Defence Secretary Robert Gates are expected to sign the second accord on September 19 on the sidelines of a NATO meeting in London.

Pentagon plans call for a tracking radar in Czech Republic and 10 interceptor missiles based in Poland.

After tough bargaining, Poland agreed on August 20 to host the missiles in exchange for US military aid, including Patriot air defence missiles.

While Washington says the shield is aimed at countering potential long-range missile attacks from so-called rogue states such as Iran, Moscow considers the planned system a threat to its security and has fiercely opposed it. (dpa)