MOSCOW, Jan. 29 (Xinhuanet) -- Russia has resumed gas supplies to Georgia and Armenia on Sunday after a weeklong repair of the pipeline damaged by two explosions Russia blamed on saboteurs, officials said.

    Supplies through the North Caucasus-Transcaucasia gas pipeline resumed at 10:17 a.m. (0717 GMT), confirmed Viktor Krainov, director of Kavkaztransgaz gas transport company's Mozdok gas pipeline department, according to the Interfax news agency.

    "The pipeline has been purged of an explosive gas-air mixture and the tap has been turned. Gas will flow to Georgia and further to Armenia," Krainov said.

    Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli later said Russian gas has crossed into Georgia and will reach Armenia on Monday.

    "The first apartment buildings in Tbilisi will begin receiving gas from 4:00 p.m. (1200 GMT). Step-by-step restoration of gas supplies to Tbilisi is to begin tomorrow," Nogaideli said.

    Georgia and Armenia's gas supplies from Russia were halted last Sunday after two explosions in southern Russia ripped through the gas pipeline that transports gas to the Transcaucasia.

    The Russian Prosecutor General's Office initially opened a criminal case of sabotage into the blasts but revised the charges to terrorism later.

    Repair of the damaged pipeline was completed at Saturday night.

    The gas shortfall has forced Georgia, heavily dependent on Russian gas, to seek emergency gas supplies from Azerbaijan and Iran. The country's energy shortage was worsened by an unusual cold snap that gripped the country this past week.

    Georgia will start receiving Iranian gas on Monday, said Nogaideli Enditem