Lithuanian city considers Reagan honour

The council in the city of Siauliai is considering renaming a former Soviet airfield in honour of Ronald Reagan.

The idea to name Siauliai International airport after the late US president came from Lithuania's parliamentary foreign affairs committee. Mr Reagan is extremely popular in Eastern Europe due to his tough stances during the Cold War confrontation with the Soviet Union. He is also credited with fostering the spread of democracy in the region.

Vaclovas Vingras, a Siauliai official, said yesterday that the city council could approve the move in December. The airport is also home to a group of Nato jets that patrol the skies in the Baltic region.