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Georgia offers rebels ceasefire Georgia offers rebels ceasefire
(about 1 hour later)
Georgian troops are expected to observe a three-hour ceasefire to let civilians leave the besieged capital of separatist South Ossetia, say reports. Georgian troops are observing a three-hour ceasefire to let civilians leave the capital of separatist South Ossetia, the foreign ministry says.
Georgia has launched a major offensive against rebel strongholds and claims to have surrounded the capital Tskhinvali. Georgia had launched a major offensive against rebel strongholds and claims to have surrounded the capital Tskhinvali.
Russia, who Georgia accuses of arming the rebels, has warned aggression would lead to retaliation from Moscow. Russia, who Georgia accuses of arming the rebels, is reported to be moving troops into South Ossetia.
At least 15 civilians are said to have died as well as several Russian peacekeepers based in Tskhinvali. At least 15 civilians are said to have died, as well as several Russian peacekeepers based in Tskhinvali.
Nato, the US and the European Union have all called for an immediate end to the hostilities.Nato, the US and the European Union have all called for an immediate end to the hostilities.
This is very sad and very disturbing and, of course, this will provoke actions in response Vladimir PutinRussian Prime Minister In pictures: Unrest in GeorgiaSend us your comments I must protect the life and dignity of Russian citizens wherever they are. We will not allow their deaths to go unpunished Dmitry MedvedevRussian President In pictures: Unrest in GeorgiaSend us your comments
Georgian President Mikhail Saakasvili called on reservists to sign up for duty and accused Russia of sending fighter jets to bomb Georgian towns - claims denied by Moscow.Georgian President Mikhail Saakasvili called on reservists to sign up for duty and accused Russia of sending fighter jets to bomb Georgian towns - claims denied by Moscow.
Residents of Tskhinvali were reported to be sheltering in basements as massive explosions rocked the city. Both sides blamed each other for breaking a ceasefire on Thursday. But Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has promised to defend Russia citizens in South Ossetia.
Georgia says the three-hour ceasefire would come into force from 1100GMT to allow civilians to leave Tskhinvali. "I must protect the life and dignity of Russian citizens wherever they are," Interfax quoted him as saying. "We will not allow their deaths to go unpunished. Those responsible will receive a deserved punishment."
The international Red Cross had earlier said it wanted to see "humanitarian corridor" to the area to take in ambulances to retrieve wounded civilians. Residents of Tskhinvali were reported to have been sheltering in basements as massive explosions rocked the city. Georgian jets also targeted separatist positions. Both sides blamed each other for breaking an earlier ceasefire agreed on Thursday.
ICRC spokeswoman Anna Nelson said they had received reports that hospitals in Tskhinvali were having trouble coping with the influx of casualties and ambulances were having trouble reaching the injured. Georgian Foreign Minister Ekaterine Tkeshelashvili told the BBC the present situation was calm as Georgian troops were observing a unilateral ceasefire which started at 1100GMT.
Sheltering She said they wanted to ensure that any civilians who wanted to leave the conflict zone could do so safely.
Russian troops
An amnesty has also been extended to any separatist fighters willing to lay down their arms, she said. SOUTH OSSETIA TIMELINE 1991-92 S Ossetia fights war to break away from newly independent Georgia; Russia enforces truce2004 Mikhail Saakashvili elected Georgian president, promising to recover lost territories2006 S Ossetians vote for independence in unofficial referendumApril 2008 Russia steps up ties with Abkhazia and South OssetiaJuly 2008 Russia admits flying jets over S Ossetia; Russia and Georgia accuse each other of military build-up7 August 2008 After escalating Georgian-Ossetian clashes, sides agree to ceasefire8 August 2008 Heavy fighting erupts overnight, Georgian forces close on Tskhinvali
On reports of Russian forces moving into South Ossetia, she said the Russian Federation's efforts to get involved militarily had to be stopped.
International Red Cross spokeswoman Anna Nelson said they had received reports that hospitals in Tskhinvali were having trouble coping with the influx of casualties and ambulances were having trouble reaching the injured.
Irina Gagloyeva, a South Ossetian official in Tskhinvali, described the scene in the beseiged city overnight after the Georgian military action started.Irina Gagloyeva, a South Ossetian official in Tskhinvali, described the scene in the beseiged city overnight after the Georgian military action started.
SOUTH OSSETIA TIMELINE 1991-92 S Ossetia fights war to break away from newly independent Georgia; Russia enforces truce2004 Mikhail Saakashvili elected Georgian president, promising to recover lost territories2006 S Ossetians vote for independence in unofficial referendumApril 2008 Russia steps up ties with Abkhazia and South OssetiaJuly 2008 Russia admits flying jets over S Ossetia; Russia and Georgia accuse each other of military build-up7 August 2008 After escalating Georgian-Ossetian clashes, sides agree to ceasefire8 August 2008 Heavy fighting erupts overnight, Georgian forces close on Tskhinvali
"Virtually all the people of the city are in shelters, myself included. It started at midnight, and has barely stopped for a minute," she told the BBC. "Can you hear? That's rockets. All my windows have blown out. Thirty-five thousand residents of our capital have become the hostages of Georgian fascism.""Virtually all the people of the city are in shelters, myself included. It started at midnight, and has barely stopped for a minute," she told the BBC. "Can you hear? That's rockets. All my windows have blown out. Thirty-five thousand residents of our capital have become the hostages of Georgian fascism."
A spokesman for the Russian peacekeepers in South Ossetia told Interfax news agency that Georgian shells directly hit barracks in Tskhinvali, killing several peacekeepers.A spokesman for the Russian peacekeepers in South Ossetia told Interfax news agency that Georgian shells directly hit barracks in Tskhinvali, killing several peacekeepers.
Georgian Prime Minister Lado Gurgenidze said Georgia had simply run out of patience with attacks by separatist militias in recent days and had had to move in to restore peace in South Ossetia.Georgian Prime Minister Lado Gurgenidze said Georgia had simply run out of patience with attacks by separatist militias in recent days and had had to move in to restore peace in South Ossetia.
"As soon as a durable peace takes hold we need to move forward with dialogue and peaceful negotiations," he told reporters."As soon as a durable peace takes hold we need to move forward with dialogue and peaceful negotiations," he told reporters.
Russian passports
Georgia accuses Russia of arming the separatists who have been trying to break away since the civil war in the 1990s. Moscow denies the claim.Georgia accuses Russia of arming the separatists who have been trying to break away since the civil war in the 1990s. Moscow denies the claim.
Russia called an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to respond to the crisis, but members failed to agree on a Russian statement calling on both sides to renounce the use of force.Russia called an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to respond to the crisis, but members failed to agree on a Russian statement calling on both sides to renounce the use of force.
Russian passports The BBC's James Rodgers in Moscow says Russia has always said it supports the territorial integrity of Georgia but also that it would defend its citizens. Many South Ossetians hold Russian passports.
Russian President Dmitri Medvedev later convened his national security council and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin promised a response to what he called Georgian aggression.
The defence ministry issued a statement saying: "We will not allow the peacekeepers and citizens of the Russian Federation to be hurt."
The BBC's James Rodgers in Moscow says Russia has always said it supports the territorial integrity of Georgia but has also said it would defend its citizens. Many South Ossetians hold Russian passports.
Hundreds of fighters from Russia and Georgia's other breakaway region of Abkhazia are reportedly heading to aid the separatist troops.Hundreds of fighters from Russia and Georgia's other breakaway region of Abkhazia are reportedly heading to aid the separatist troops.
Mr Saakashvili's claims of Russian jets bombarding Georgian targets have been rejected by Russia and have not been independently confirmed.
China, where the Olympic Games opens on Friday, called for worldwide truce during the sporting event.China, where the Olympic Games opens on Friday, called for worldwide truce during the sporting event.