Russia is considering ending the decade-long effective state of war in Chechnya, an official said yesterday, in a move that could see the withdrawal of thousands of troops from the once restive republic.

The decree on the start of a "counter-terrorist operation" was passed in Chechnya under late president Boris Yeltsin in 1999, just months before he resigned and installed Vladimir Putin at the helm.

"Such an issue is being worked out but it's too early to talk about the time frame," a Kremlin official said on condition of anonymity.