This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7553144.stm

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
'New attacks' in Georgia conflict Ceasefire bid amid Georgia crisis
(about 1 hour later)
Russia and Georgia have accused each other of launching new attacks, as diplomats press for a ceasefire in the conflict over South Ossetia.Russia and Georgia have accused each other of launching new attacks, as diplomats press for a ceasefire in the conflict over South Ossetia.
Georgia said dozens of Russian bombers were attacking targets inside its territory, including around Tbilisi.Georgia said dozens of Russian bombers were attacking targets inside its territory, including around Tbilisi.
And Russia said Georgian attacks on the South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali killed three of its troops. Russia said Georgian attacks on the South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali killed three of its troops.
Elsewhere, US President George W Bush criticised Russia's response, while EU diplomats headed to Moscow for talks. But an EU delegation visiting Tbilisi said Georgia's president had signed a draft proposal for a ceasefire.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, who met Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili on Sunday, said he was seeking a "controlled withdrawal of troops" from the conflict zone.
See a map of the region See a map of the region
Fighting erupted late last week when Georgia launched an overnight assault on South Ossetia, which has had de facto independence since the end of a war in 1992.Thousands of people have fled South Ossetia seeking safety in North Ossetia French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner told the BBC that Mr Saakashvili had accepted EU proposals for a ceasefire, controlled withdrawals of troops on both sides and eventual political talks.
The delegation would now go to Moscow, Mr Kouchner said, to convince President Dmitry Medvedev to back the plan.
Earlier, Mr Medvedev said Russian troops were in control of Tskhinvali and Moscow's military push was "largely complete".
But the head of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Alexander Stubb, accompanying Mr Kouchner, said he could not predict when the conflict would end, saying only that he was "optimistic" a cessation of violence could begin "in the next few days".
Targets hit
Fighting over South Ossetia erupted late last week when Georgia launched an overnight assault on the territory, which has had de facto independence since the end of a war in 1992.
Thousands of people have fled South Ossetia seeking safety in North Ossetia
Russia, which supports the breakaway province, hit back, bombing targets throughout Georgia.Russia, which supports the breakaway province, hit back, bombing targets throughout Georgia.
The latest reports of violence came despite Georgia saying on Sunday that it would observe a ceasefire. Moscow has insisted Georgian forces withdraw fully from South Ossetia before it halts operations.The latest reports of violence came despite Georgia saying on Sunday that it would observe a ceasefire. Moscow has insisted Georgian forces withdraw fully from South Ossetia before it halts operations.
From Tbilisi, Georgia said up to 50 Russian fighter jets attacked targets inside Georgia overnight, with targets including a missile base and a radar station.From Tbilisi, Georgia said up to 50 Russian fighter jets attacked targets inside Georgia overnight, with targets including a missile base and a radar station.
Georgia said the town of Gori, close to the South Ossetian border and used as a jumping-off point for Georgia's push into South Ossetia, also came under overnight attack.Georgia said the town of Gori, close to the South Ossetian border and used as a jumping-off point for Georgia's push into South Ossetia, also came under overnight attack.
Meanwhile Russian media reported that Georgian forces shelled South Ossetia's capital, Tskhinvali, killing three peacekeepers. ABKHAZIA Broke away from Georgia in 1992-1993 war De facto independence not recognised internationally Georgia says Russian troops prop up separatist stateGeorgian offer of autonomy within federal state rejected by Abkhazia Q&A: Violence in South OssetiaEarly lessons from South OssetiaProfile: Abkhazia ABKHAZIA Broke away from Georgia in 1992-1993 warDe-facto independence not recognised internationally2,000 Russian troops there sent as peacekeepersGeorgia seized strategic Kodori Gorge in Abkhazia in 2006Abkhazia rejected Georgian offer of autonomy within federal state Q&A: Violence in South OssetiaEarly lessons from South OssetiaProfile: Abkhazia
And in Abkhazia, a second separatist region of Georgia, reports said a Russian general issued an ultimatum to Georgian forces to pull out of Abkhazia's Kodori Gorge or Russian would send in its troops. Earlier, reports in Moscow said 9,000 Russian troops were being deployed to Abkhazia. Elsewhere in Georgia, tensions were rising in Abkhazia, another separatist region.
Reports said a Russian general issued an ultimatum to Georgian forces to pull out of Abkhazia's Kodori Gorge or Russian would send in its troops. Earlier, reports in Moscow said 9,000 Russian troops were being deployed to Abkhazia.
On Sunday, separatist leaders in Abkhazia announced a full mobilisation in order to drive Georgian troops from part of the region, and gave them a deadline to leave.On Sunday, separatist leaders in Abkhazia announced a full mobilisation in order to drive Georgian troops from part of the region, and gave them a deadline to leave.
Georgia has accused Russia of landing 4,000 more troops in Abkhazia via the Black Sea. The separatists said Georgia had deployed a similar number of soldiers south of the Abkhaz border.Georgia has accused Russia of landing 4,000 more troops in Abkhazia via the Black Sea. The separatists said Georgia had deployed a similar number of soldiers south of the Abkhaz border.
'Very firm''Very firm'
Away from the conflict zones, US and European leaders stepped up efforts to end the fighting. Overnight, US President George W Bush was strongly critical of Russia's military strikes against Georgia.
Mr Kouchner, heading a European Union delegation, was attempting to persuade both Georgia and Russia to sign up to a ceasefire agreement and stand down troops. ARMED FORCES COMPARED GEORGIA Total personnel: 26,900Main battle tanks (T-72): 82Armoured personnel carriers: 139Combat aircraft (Su-25): SevenHeavy artillery pieces (including Grad rocket launchers): 95 RUSSIA Total personnel: 641,000Main battle tanks (various): 6,717Armoured personnel carriers: 6,388Combat aircraft (various): 1,206Heavy artillery pieces (various): 7,550 Source: Jane's Sentinel Country Risk Assessments Challenging situation for MoscowCrisis day-by-day ARMED FORCES COMPARED GEORGIA Total personnel: 26,900Main battle tanks (T-72): 82Armoured personnel carriers: 139Combat aircraft (Su-25): SevenHeavy artillery pieces (including Grad rocket launchers): 95 RUSSIA Total personnel: 641,000Main battle tanks (various): 6,717Armoured personnel carriers: 6,388Combat aircraft (various): 1,206Heavy artillery pieces (various): 7,550 Source: Jane's Sentinel Country Risk Assessments Challenging situation for MoscowCrisis day-by-day class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7549990.stm">In quotes: Strife in Georgia
Separately, a Council of Europe delegation headed by Sweden's foreign minister is heading to Tbilisi for talks. The BBC's Nik Gowing, travelling with the diplomats, reports that there is deep gloom among delegates, with many suggesting Russia has crossed several "red lines" by striking at Georgia.
Speaking in Beijing, US President Bush told NBC TV that he had spoken frankly to Vladimir Putin when the pair met at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games last week.Speaking in Beijing, US President Bush told NBC TV that he had spoken frankly to Vladimir Putin when the pair met at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games last week.
"I said this violence is unacceptable," Mr Bush said, adding: "I was very firm with Vladimir Putin. Hopefully this will get resolved peacefully.""I said this violence is unacceptable," Mr Bush said, adding: "I was very firm with Vladimir Putin. Hopefully this will get resolved peacefully."
However, in a telephone call to Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, the US Vice-President, Dick Cheney, said Russian aggression "must not go unanswered".However, in a telephone call to Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, the US Vice-President, Dick Cheney, said Russian aggression "must not go unanswered".
Mr Cheney said the continuation of violence against Georgia would have serious consequences for Russia's relations with the US, as well as the international community.Mr Cheney said the continuation of violence against Georgia would have serious consequences for Russia's relations with the US, as well as the international community.
The call appears to have been an effort to send a message not just of solidarity but also of readiness for action, says the BBC's Justin Webb, in Washington.
But White House officials refused to speculate on what America might do if the Russian military action continued.But White House officials refused to speculate on what America might do if the Russian military action continued.
The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) has called on the parties to the conflict to grant safe passage to civilians trying to escape the war zone.The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) has called on the parties to the conflict to grant safe passage to civilians trying to escape the war zone.
The UNHCR estimates that between 10,000 and 20,000 people have been displaced within Georgia, including South Ossetia, while Russia has said that a further 30,000 people have fled north into the Russian province of North Ossetia.The UNHCR estimates that between 10,000 and 20,000 people have been displaced within Georgia, including South Ossetia, while Russia has said that a further 30,000 people have fled north into the Russian province of North Ossetia.
Click to returnClick to return
Are you in the areas affected by the violence? If you have witnessed anything you want to share with the BBC, please do so using the form below:Are you in the areas affected by the violence? If you have witnessed anything you want to share with the BBC, please do so using the form below:
You can send pictures and video to:You can send pictures and video to:
yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Click here to see terms and conditions.yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Click here to see terms and conditions.
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
NameName