The troops are operating in accordance with current training plans.

Israel acknowledged that troops were operating outside what Israel calls its security zone.

The rules of engagement under which the foreign troops will operate are a sensitive question.

When allied troops are operating the situation is even more complex, especially with language barriers to overcome.

According to the intelligence that the troops were operating on, they expected to encounter about 30 or 40 Hezbollah fighters, the officers said.

Russian troops had operated there since the early 1990s, and were regularly accused by Georgia of siding with the separatists.

But since paramilitary troops operate outside the government's direct control, officials might simply not have accounted for them.

The troops operated on the basis that no man not an outlaw remained in the mountains.

Admiral Barrie said the rules of engagement under which the troops would operate had not been determined.

The vehicle has a custom-made cooling system, which allows troops to operate in extreme weather conditions.