Starting today members of the ultra-nationalist movement Ataka will stop attending National Assembly sessions and will organise rallies against the positioning of foreign troops on Bulgarian territory.

Ataka's rallies will also serve as a protest against the policies of the ruling coalition, Ataka leader Volen Siderov said during a March 3 party meeting.

Through the rallies Ataka aims at increasing awareness among people and at demanding a national referendum before the positioning of foreign troops becomes fact, mediapool.bg reported.

The first party meeting will take place in Sliven on Tuesday. Next, rallies will occur in Pleven, Yambol and Bourgas.

Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) member Angel Naidenov said US forces will use Bulgarian bases for a 10-year period. The agreement between Bulgaria and the US will be signed in April, Novinar newspaper reported.

Additional issues that need to be clarified include the access to military infrastructure of the foreign soldiers. Bulgaria should exercise control over the activities, Naidenov said. All investment needed to modify the bases will come from the American side, said he.