Moscow - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has signed an amendment to the defence law, paving the way for deployment of the Russian military anywhere in the world, the Kremlin said Monday.

The law empowers the Russian armed forces to take part in anti- piracy missions, but also contains a controversial clause allowing troops to be deployed to protect Russian citizens abroad.

Russia justified its invasion of the breakaway Georgian republic of South Ossetia in August last year with the need to protect Russian citizens living there.

Georgia had earlier sent troops in to the territory, triggering a five-day war with Russia. Russia had previously provoked Georgia by handing out Russian passports to South Ossetians.

Medvedev last week dismissed criticism of the law, saying Russian forces would be deployed overseas only in urgent cases.

Previously the president could only authorize the sending of troops abroad if Russia's security was under threat, to help in anti-terror operations or to fulfil international obligations.(dpa)