The Georgian government and parliament decided to withdraw Russian peacekeepers from conflict zones within the country, Georgian parliament speaker Nino Burjanadze said today after consultations with ruling United National Movement party, and Ministers of Interior, Defense and Foreign Affairs. "The decision has been taken. As to the terms, consultations with the international community and partner states are underway," she said.

The decision on inadvisability of further presence of Russian peacekeepers in the conflict zones was taken earlier by the legislative body and adoption of an additional document is not needed. The contingent will be notified of the terms of withdrawal. Presently, the Georgian authorities negotiate on replacement of Russian peacekeepers by a mixed contingent from foreign states, RosBusinessConsulting reports.