Georgian president announces plan to send 900 troops to U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan

Georgia to send 900 troops to Afghanistan

TBILISI, Georgia — President Mikhail Saakashvili says Georgia will contribute more than 900 troops next year to the U.S.-led coalition forces in Afghanistan.

Saakashvili made the statement Monday during a meeting with Gen. Roger A. Brady, commander of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe.

Brady thanked Saakashvili for the “incredible” support provided by Georgia.

Georgia sent 170 troops to Afghanistan earlier this year. It has previously contributed its soldiers to the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq.

Saakashvili has been a staunch ally of the United States and has led his ex-Soviet nation to forge closer integration with the West. His pro-Western course contributed to tensions with Moscow which led to a 2008 Russian-Georgian war.