Russia says it will pull surplus federal units out of the breakaway republic of Chechnya after the large- scale military operation ends there.

Acting President Vladimir Putin said that most of the Chechen extremists have been defeated, but military operations will continue in the mountainous areas of Chechnya to finish off the remaining rebels.

Putin said Russian forces will not leave Chechnya until legal authorities are restored in the liberated territory.

He stressed that Russia's territorial integrity and constitutional principles should be strengthened not only in Chechnya, but also in the entire territory.