GROZNY. June 16 (Interfax-AVN) - The command of the Russian Combined Federal Forces in the North Caucasus will be transferred from the Federal Security Service (FSB) to the Interior Ministry on September 1 of this year, Chechen military commandant Lieutenant General Yevgeny Abrashin told Interfax on Monday.
"The transfer of the command of the regional operational headquarters for antiterrorist operations in the North Caucasus from the FSB to the Interior Ministry will begin on July 1 and will be completed by September 1," Abrashin said.
On July 1, one of the deputy interior ministers will be appointed commander of the regional headquarters, he said.
"A decision has also been made to move from antiterrorist- operation methods towards measures for maintaining law and order," the general said.
Commandant offices from the Interior Ministry will be set up in 15 Chechen districts to replace the current offices reporting to the Defense Ministry, Abrashin said.
The 42nd motorized rifle division and the 46 interior brigade will stay in the republic permanently to provide assistance, when necessary, to interior agencies fighting terrorists and illegal armed formations, he said.
"No large bandit formations capable of presenting major problems in the Chechen Republic are currently visible. The leaders of bandit formations have chosen terrorism as their main method of fighting," Abrashin said.