TBILISI. July 2 (Interfax-AVN) -Russian peacekeeping units in the southern section of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict zone will be replaced this month, press secretary of the CIS Collective Peacekeeping Forces Command Alexander Tretyakov told reporters on Tuesday.
The southern section covers the Zugdidi district of Georgia, Tretyakov added.
"The 529th separate motorized rifle battalion serving in the coastal area of the Zugdidi district will be replaced by the 526th separate motorized rifle battalion of the 131st separate motorized rifle brigade organic to the North Caucasus military district in a few days," the press secretary said.
According to him, "armament and combat assets are not replaced and the 526th battalion will transfer arms to its successors."
The Collective Peacekeeping Forces have been operating in the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict zone since 1994. In accordance with the standing order, their mandate is extended every six months by decisions of the CIS Heads of State Council. The latest mandate of the forces expired on Sunday.
On June 28, Russia submitted a draft resolution of the CIS Heads of State Council on continuation of the peacekeeping operation in the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict zone and extension of the peacekeepers' mandate until December 31, 2002.