Russian troops begin pullout from Georgia

Russian troops have been urged to pull out of Georgia under an international ceasefire plan, however, Russian armored cars were spotted at checkpoints on a major Georgian highway.

The Kremlin has announced that Russia will start to pull out on Monday, but no specific time was given. Russian soldiers were spotted inspecting the boots of cars asking drivers for identification on the main road from the capital to Gori.

"The Russian general [Vyacheslav Borisov] promised last night to start the pullout at 10 a.m., but so far there is no sign," said Kakha Lomaia, the secretary of Georgia's National Security Council on Monday.

While Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili is urging Moscow to conduct talks. "I appeal to you that after your armed forces leave Georgian territory, to start serious thing and discussions about further negotiations, a further search for ways [to conduct] relations in order not to sow discord between our countries," he said in a broadcast.

The 10 day conflict around South Ossetia has  killed more than 170 Georgians and the EU and US are both pressing Moscow to pullout quickly.

Source: Reuters