CHELYABINSK, Russia, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- The final stage of the "Peace Mission 2007" anti-terror drill, sponsored by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), began Friday in Chelyabinsk in Russia's Ural Mountains region.

Leaders from SCO's six member countries gathered in Chelyabinsk to observe the drill, which is also due to end on Friday.

The exercise, that started on Aug. 9, has been carried out first in Urumqi, capital of China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and later in Chelyabinsk.

SCO member states hope that the exercises that involve military forces from all SCO member countries would help intensify their exchanges and cooperation in defense and security, enhance the capabilities of their armed forces in collectively countering terrorism and promote regional peace, security and stability.