MOSCOW, January 11 (RIA Novosti) - Between 500 and 700 militants are still operating in Russia's troubled North Caucasus region, the commander of the Interior Troops said on Friday.

Although the active phase of the antiterrorism campaign in the North Caucasus officially ended in 2001, periodic bombings and clashes between militants and federal troops still disrupt Chechnya and nearby regions, including Daghestan, and Ingushetia.

"Up to 700 militants are operating in the North Caucasus at present and they are constantly on the move," Gen. Nikolai Rogozhkin told a news conference, adding that there may be at least 70 foreign mercenaries among them.

He said at least 10 militants, including several notorious warlords, had been killed in special operations in the region since the beginning of the year.

According to Russia's Federal Security Service, over 500 militants were killed or arrested and at least 200 arms caches were discovered and destroyed in the North Caucasus last year.

Rogozhkin said police and interior troops had full control over the situation in the region and that the militants were unable to conduct any major terrorist operations there.

"We do not expect any increased terrorist activity in the North Caucasus in 2008," the general said.