Ecuador says unlikely to extend U.S. air base deal

QUITO, Ecuador, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Ecuador is not likely to extend a deal that allows the United States to use an anti-narcotics air base on its territory due to a surge in sentiment against the American military presence, its deputy minister of foreign relations said on Wednesday.

Deputy minister Diego Ribadeneira said in a television interview that the Andean country's major parties would probably block the ratification of a deal on U.S. use of the Manta military base beyond 2009.

"I think it will be very difficult for a foreign minister in 2009 to ratify this agreement," said Ribadeneira.

Since 1999, the United States has used the Manta air base 161 miles (260 km) southwest of Quito to fight drug trafficking in the region. The contract will be up for an extension by the Ecuadorean government in 2009.

Most of the cocaine consumed in the United States comes from the Andean region, according to U.S. authorities.

But the base has angered many Ecuadoreans who said the deal undermines their country's sovereignty.

The base has become a hot campaign topic ahead of the presidential election in October.

The United States has invested about $67 million in the airfield.