TBILISI, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel said here Sunday that Russian troops should withdraw from Georgia in a speedy manner.

    "Russian troops should leave Georgia and we have an understanding to this end with (Russian) President (Dmitry) Medvedev," the Interfax news agency quoted Merkel as saying after meeting with Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili.

Visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Georgia's President Mikheil Saakashvili attend a news conference in Tbilisi Aug. 17, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

 

    "The process should not drag out for weeks," she said, adding that refugees should return to the region without obstacles.

    Russia declared a halt to its military offensive in Georgia Tuesday after days of conflicts with the Caucasus nation in its breakaway region of South Ossetia.

    Medvedev, who signed a French-brokered peace plan Saturday, said earlier in the day that Russia will start withdrawing its forces Monday.

    In addition, Merkel said that Georgia will become a member of NATO "if Georgia wishes so."

    "The decision of the NATO summit in Bucharest won't change and the doors of the alliance are open to Georgia," she said.

    The German leader also said that the security zone in South Ossetia which Russian peacekeepers temporally control should not serve as an excuse for Russian regular forces to remain in Georgian territory.

    She expressed the belief that the peace plan worked out by the presidents of Russia and France and signed by the sides is vital.

    Saakashvili, in his turn, insisted that Russian troops withdraw from Georgia immediately and a peacekeeping operation involving international forces begin promptly.

    He said an understanding was reached with Merkel that Germany will provide utmost assistance for Georgia in the reconstruction of the destroyed civilian infrastructure.