The United States has begun using two Spanish military bases in southern Spain in the fight against Ebola, said Defense Minister Pedro Morenes.
Extraordinary precautions will be enforced on the American forces in implementing of relevant security protocols concerning the virus, the official Spanish television, on Sunday, quoted the minister as saying at a news conference, held in Washington late on Saturday, following talks with his US counterpart.
Morenese said he agreed with the US Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel, on guarantees to ensure safety of Spanish citizens vis a vis the outbreak of the communicable disease, indicating that the American forces would remain within the bases.
The American bases are being used as launching points, logistical transit centers for the aircraft taking part in the operation against Ebola in Africa, he said.
Madrid said on Friday it approved two requests by the UN and US to use military bases in the south as part of international operations to fight the Ebola virus in West Africa.
Spain approved the US request to use the Moron de la Frontera and Rota bases, located in the Seville and Cadiz provinces respectively.
Morenes was in the US for talks on guarantees provided by the US for using the Spanish air bases during this campaign.