U-S military officials say traces of nerve gas have been found at an old Soviet air base in Uzbekistan where U-S forces are stationed in support of the military campaign in neighboring Afghanistan.
A U-S military spokesman says airborne traces were found at three locations inside the (Karshi Khanabad) base, including a hangar housing base headquarters.
There are no reports of any symptoms among U-S troops, and it was not immediately clear how many U-S soldiers might have had contact with the vapors.
Some reports suggest chemical agents may have been buried at the base for a long time, but were detected only now, in the heat of Afghanistan's early summer.
Meanwhile, in Afghanistan, hundreds of tribal leaders and other delegates are pouring into Kabul to choose the country's new interim government.
Former king Mohammed Zahir Shah is set to inaugurate the week-long meeting of the grand council, or Loya Jirga, in a huge, air-conditioned tent Monday.
Under tight security provided by international peace-keepers, more than 15-hundred delegates will choose a new temporary administration to lead Afghanistan until national elections are held within the next two years.
About one thousand of the delegates were chosen in local elections and represent the diverse ethnic makeup of Afghanistan. The rest, including about 200 women, were appointed to represent exiles, professional groups, religious leaders and other groups.
Interim leader Hamid Karzai is a top candidate to head the new government. The delegates must also choose cabinet ministers and others to represent the various ethnic groups.