Russia completes withdrawal of base from Georgia

Russia has completed the withdrawal from one of its three military bases in Georgia as the last batch of munition and equipment left Russia's garrison in Tbilisi early on Thursday.

The withdrawal started ahead of schedule in mid-November in line with a decision by Russia's Defence Ministry. Five hundred tons of munition and more than 140 units of equipment have been removed from Georgia so far.

Staff from the Tbilisi garrison is due to leave Georgia by December 25, with just 15 officers staying to organise the withdrawal of the two other bases by October 2008.