TBILISI. Feb 18 (Interfax-AVN) - The Georgian National Security Council at an extraordinary Monday evening meeting decided to prolong by six months the mandate of Russian peacekeepers in Abkhazia, its secretary Tedo Dzhaparidze told reporters.
"The decision is not final because President Eduard Shevardnadze should sign the document in the next few days," he said.
Council members made the decision in the belief that Georgia does not have an alternative to a peacekeeping operation in Abkhazia at this stage, Dzhaparidze said.
With the help of friendly countries the Georgian leadership will take steps by July to change the format and nature of the peacekeeping operation in Abkhazia, he said.
Georgia is not dropping from the agenda the demand that the Russian leadership suspend the massive issue of Russian passports to the residents of Abkhazia and railway traffic between Sochi and Sukhumi, Dzhaparidze said.