MOSCOW, April 6 (Xinhuanet) -- Commander of the Russian military contingent in the South Caucasus survived an attempt on his life on Tuesday evening in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, Interfax news agency reported.

    Major-General Alexander Studenikin was injured on the way home when an explosive device was set off along the route of his car, the agency quoted Valeri Grigalashvili, Tbilisi prosecutor, as saying.

    The attack took place not far from the general's quarters in downtown Tbilisi, he said.

    Georgian Defense Ministry's public relations chief Irakli Chikovani told Interfax that the explosion occurred near the ministry's personnel department, a building also houses the personnel department of the Russian forces in the region.

    He said that the bomb went off when Studenikin had left the building and that the general was the only one injured in the blast.

    Russia has two military bases in Georgia. The Georgian authorities have called for quick closure and removal of the basesfrom the Caucasus nation. Enditem