Russian Duma passes Ossetia troop treaty

MOSCOW, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- A Russian lawmaker says the friendship treaty with two former Georgian republics will protect them from any attempts at reunification by force.

The lower house of Russia's parliament Wednesday ratified the agreements with South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which establish a framework for maintaining a Russian military presence in the new nations.

Abkhazia and South Ossetia broke away from Georgia during the summer when Russian forces rolled into the regions amid a Georgian crackdown on separatist rebels

"Mutual assistance is envisioned in the event of recurrence of use of force by Georgia, and, consequently, presence of a Russian military contingent in the republics on permanent basis," Leonid Slutsky, first deputy chairman of the State Duma's international affairs committee told Itar-Tass.

The lawmaker added that the pacts included agreements on issues including joint border protection and a framework that will lead to the ability to grant dual citizenship to the residents of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.