LONDON: The British government was grilled in parliament on Wednesday as it denied claims by Mauritius that a new deal to return the Chagos Islands changes the lease terms for a key US military base.
The foreign ministry hit back at reports that Britain would pay Mauritius up to £18 billion ($22 billion) to use Diego Garcia island in the Indian Ocean archipelago where the base is. Britain and its former colony reached a deal in October to hand back the isles -- which it kept control of after Mauritius gained independence in the 1960s -- on condition that the military base remains on Diego Garcia, the largest island. The base is leased to the United States and has become one of its key military facilities in the Asia-Pacific.
Opposition leader Omar Ayub joined JIT probe, sources said on Thursday
Residents further said gas supply to some areas, including Rustam Town has been suspended
Meanwhile, heavy firing reported between law enforcement agencies and dacoits
