More Georgian Troops Leave For Afghanistan

The departure ceremony for the soldiers leaving for Afghanistan took place at the Vaziani military base outside Tbilisi.

TBILISI -- Hundreds of Georgian soldiers left Tbilisi for Afghanistan on April 7 to take part in the U.S.-led coalition's military operations, RFE/RL's Echo of the Caucasus reports.

Georgian Defense Ministry officials and parliament deputies took part in the departure ceremony for the 750 troops. A Georgian Orthodox priest will accompany the contingent to Afghanistan.

The troops will be stationed near the Afghan-Pakistani border.

The troops will join some 150 Georgian soldiers who have been serving in Afghanistan under French command for the past several months.