A Russian army general said on September 30 that the withdrawal of troops from Georgia has been suspended amid a spy row between the two countries, Russian news agencies reported.

“Working over this year’s scheduled withdrawal has been suspended,” Gen. Alexander Baranov, the commander of the Russia’s North Caucasus military district, told reporters in Rostov-on-Don.

But Russia has already fulfilled its commitments under the March 31, 2006 agreement and withdrew all the military equipment planned for this year. The remaining military hardware in the Batumi military base should be withdrawn by October 1, 2007 and military personnel should vacate the Akhalkalaki base in the course of 2007; while the Headquarters of the Group of Russian Troops in the Trans-Caucasus should be closed down in a course of 2008, according to the agreement.

The Russian army commander also said that “our major task now is to protect our citizens and the honor of Russia.”

Gen. Baranov also said that the arrest of Russian military officers suspected of espionage was a provocation and a result of “a decision by two hawks” – Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili and Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili.