Tbilisi, Jan 16: A plane carrying Georgia's Defence Minister David Tevzadze was shot at as it took off from Baghdad's Airport to return to the Caucasus country overnight, but no one was hurt in the attack, officials said today. "The plane made a maneuver and coalition helicopters opened return fire," Koba Kobaladze, Georgia's national guard chief travelling with the minister, told reporters upon returning to Tbilisi.

"I was sleeping at the time and didn't notice anything," Tevzadze said.

Tevzadze flew to Iraq for one day to inspect Georgian soldiers who are serving as part of the US-led peacekeeping force there. Georgia sent 70 elite troops, doctors and mine-clearing experts to Iraq in August. They are due to return in February, to be replaced by 200 troops who will include special forces.

Another 300 soldiers are due to arrive before mid-2004.

The United States is footing the bill for the soldiers' uniforms, weapons and other expenses.

Bureau Report