Moscow/Tashkent, Uzbekistan - Uzbekistan's President Islam Karimov agreed Wednesday to allow NATO and US troops transit through the Central Asian country to supply operations in Afghanistan.

Uzbekistan joins Tajikistan and Russia in officially approving the shipment of building supplies, medicines and water for use by US-led coalition forces fighting in Afghanistan.

"Uzbekistan has agreed to the transit of non-military cargo to Afghanistan," Karimov was quoted by news agency Interfax as saying.

Supplying troops in the hard-to-access northern part of the country has become critical as US President Barack Obama boosts operations to combat a growing Taliban insurgency. This month, he ordered 17,000 more forces to Afghanistan.

But the news also comes after the US lost a strategic airbase in region this month when Kyrgyzstan terminated its contract for the Manas base amid Russian pressure. (dpa)