Moscow - Russian began withdrawing a military mission sent to repair railways in Georgia's rebel region of Abkhazia on Wednesday, a spokesman for the troops said.

Georgia lodged international protests against Russia's support for the breakaway region, saying such steps were aimed at the annexation of part of its territory.

Moscow, however, underlined the 450 railway troops were unarmed and dubbed their work a humanitarian mission that complied with its peacekeeping role in the region since a UN ceasefire ended a bloody civil war in 1994.

A third of the Russian troops pulled out of Abkhazia this week while the remaining soldiers will leave following an official ceremony Wednesday.

"There are 250 Russian railway troops remaining in Abkhazia, which will leave for the settlement of Gumaria (in Southern Russia) after the state ceremony," a spokesman for the mission was quoted by news agency Interfax as saying.

Western powers are trying to negotiate a new peace between Georgia and the separatist regions under Moscow's protection, fearing escalating tensions in the region could tip to armed conflict.

Most Abkhaz residents have been issued Russian passports in recent years, giving weight to Moscow's vow to "defend its citizens" in the region.

Georgia, backed by the United States, has bid to join the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance despite Russian objections. (dpa)