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Russia 'ends Georgia operation' Russia 'ends Georgia operation'
(about 2 hours later)
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has ordered an end to military operations against Georgia, the Kremlin says.Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has ordered an end to military operations against Georgia, the Kremlin says.
He told officials he had decided to end the campaign after restoring security for Russian citizens and peacekeepers in South Ossetia.He told officials he had decided to end the campaign after restoring security for Russian citizens and peacekeepers in South Ossetia.
Before Mr Medvedev's statement, there were fresh reports of Russian warplanes bombing the Georgian town of Gori. Mr Medvedev's announcement followed fresh reports of Russian warplanes bombing the Georgian town of Gori.
The conflict began last Thursday, when Russia responded to Georgian military action in South Ossetia.The conflict began last Thursday, when Russia responded to Georgian military action in South Ossetia.
But Russia has also bombed areas outside the breakaway region - including Gori, which is less than 80km (50 miles) from the Georgian capital Tbilisi.But Russia has also bombed areas outside the breakaway region - including Gori, which is less than 80km (50 miles) from the Georgian capital Tbilisi.
On Tuesday, witnesses told the BBC that several people had been killed when a bomb hit a hospital in the town. Shortly before Russia's announcement that it was ending military operations, witnesses told the BBC that several people had been killed when a bomb hit a hospital in the town. name="link"> class="bodl" href="#map">See map of the region
See map of the region
A reporter for Reuters news agency said several bombs exploded in front of his vehicle, while a Reuters photographer spoke of seeing dead and injured people lying in the streets.A reporter for Reuters news agency said several bombs exploded in front of his vehicle, while a Reuters photographer spoke of seeing dead and injured people lying in the streets.
Officials in the Netherlands, meanwhile, confirmed that a Dutch TV cameraman was among those killed in Gori and another journalist was wounded. Officials in the Netherlands have confirmed that a Dutch TV cameraman was among those killed in Gori and another journalist was wounded.
Should centres of resistance or other aggressive attempts arise, you must take the decision to destroy them Dmitry MedvedevRussian president Profile: Dmitry MedvedevDay-by-day: Georgia-Russia crisisGeorgia's civilian emergencyShould centres of resistance or other aggressive attempts arise, you must take the decision to destroy them Dmitry MedvedevRussian president Profile: Dmitry MedvedevDay-by-day: Georgia-Russia crisisGeorgia's civilian emergency
The BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse, near Gori, reported seeing sporadic artillery fire around the town right up until shortly before the Russian announcement.The BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse, near Gori, reported seeing sporadic artillery fire around the town right up until shortly before the Russian announcement.
But our correspondent later said military action in the area appeared to have stopped.But our correspondent later said military action in the area appeared to have stopped.
After Mr Medvedev's statement, tens of thousands of Georgians gathered in Tbilisi's main square to hear President Mikhail Saakashvili speak.After Mr Medvedev's statement, tens of thousands of Georgians gathered in Tbilisi's main square to hear President Mikhail Saakashvili speak.
He told the crowd Russia was continuing its "ruthless, heartless destruction" of Georgian citizens - although the Kremlin denied his claims. The president told the crowd that Russia was continuing its "ruthless, heartless destruction" of Georgian citizens - although the Kremlin denied his claims.
He also pledged to take Georgia out of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), a group which includes most of the former Soviet republics. In other developments:
In Georgia's other breakaway region, Abkhazia, separatist rebels continued an offensive against Georgian troops in the Kodori Gorge region - the only area of Abkhazia still under Georgian military control. • French President Nicolas Sarkozy held a joint news conference with President Medvedev in Moscow. Mr Sarkozy, in his current role as EU president, is trying to negotiate a permanent ceasefire.
And British oil firm BP closed a key pipeline that runs through Georgia in response to the crisis. A larger pipeline, which runs from Azerbaijan through southern Georgia into Turkey, had shut earlier. • Nato said Russia's withdrawal announcement was "not enough" and that it deplored the "disproportionate" force used by Moscow.
• President Saakashvili said Georgia would leave the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) - a group which includes most of the former Soviet republics.
• He also announced that Russian peacekeepers in Georgia's other breakaway region, Abkhazia, will now be regarded as an occupying army - ending an agreement in place since 1994.
• Separatist rebels continued to fight against Georgian troops in the Kodori Gorge region of Abkhazia - the only area of Abkhazia still under Georgian military control.
• British oil firm BP closed a key pipeline that runs through Georgia.
'Safety restored''Safety restored'
According to a statement, Mr Medvedev told his defence minister and chief of staff that "the goal has been attained". According to a Kremlin statement, Mr Medvedev told his defence minister and chief of staff that "the goal has been attained".
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announces the end of military operations
"I've decided to finish the operation to force the Georgian authorities to peace. The safety of our peacekeeping forces and civilian population has been restored," he said."I've decided to finish the operation to force the Georgian authorities to peace. The safety of our peacekeeping forces and civilian population has been restored," he said.
Russia has invaded a sovereign neighbouring state and threatens a democratic government elected by its people US President George W Bush Bush's tough talk on Russia
"The aggressor has been punished, having sustained considerable losses. Its armed forces have been disorganised.""The aggressor has been punished, having sustained considerable losses. Its armed forces have been disorganised."
The BBC's James Rodgers, in Moscow, says there is no sign yet that Russia is willing to engage in talks with the government in Tbilisi.The BBC's James Rodgers, in Moscow, says there is no sign yet that Russia is willing to engage in talks with the government in Tbilisi.
Russia's Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, has insisted that Georgia must sign a legally binding document on the non-use of force.Russia's Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, has insisted that Georgia must sign a legally binding document on the non-use of force.
And Mr Medvedev warned that Russia would not tolerate any further Georgian military activity in South Ossetia, saying: "Should centres of resistance or other aggressive attempts arise, you must take the decision to destroy them."And Mr Medvedev warned that Russia would not tolerate any further Georgian military activity in South Ossetia, saying: "Should centres of resistance or other aggressive attempts arise, you must take the decision to destroy them."
Georgia also remained sceptical, the country's prime minister telling Reuters that troops would remain "mobilised... ready for anything" until a binding agreement was signed between the two countries.Georgia also remained sceptical, the country's prime minister telling Reuters that troops would remain "mobilised... ready for anything" until a binding agreement was signed between the two countries.
Foreign influenceForeign influence
News of Mr Medvedev's decision emerged as French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived in Moscow expecting to press Russia on the need for a ceasefire. The Russian move followed strong comments from US President George W Bush, in which he spoke directly of concerns that Russia was planning to topple Georgia's pro-Western president.
Mr Sarkozy said the Russian announcement was "good news" and called for an immediate implementation of the ceasefire. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announces the end of military operations
Russia has invaded a sovereign neighbouring state and threatens a democratic government elected by its people US President George W Bush Bush's tough talk on Russia
The BBC's diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall says the timing of the Russian president's announcement is important.
Mr Sarkozy is currently serving as president of the European Union, our correspondent notes, and arrived in Moscow to speak on behalf of the entire bloc.
The Russian move also followed strong comments from US President George W Bush, in which he spoke directly of concerns that Russia was planning to topple Georgia's pro-Western president.
"Russia has invaded a sovereign neighbouring state and threatens a democratic government elected by its people," he said."Russia has invaded a sovereign neighbouring state and threatens a democratic government elected by its people," he said.
"Such an action is unacceptable in the 21st Century.""Such an action is unacceptable in the 21st Century."
Our correspondent says Mr Medvedev's announcement must be seen in the light of the US president's words. The BBC's diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall says Mr Medvedev's announcement must be seen in the light of the US president's words.
President Bush's language was unusually blunt, she says, and if Russia cares about its relations with the US and Europe, it might have been given pause for thought.
The five-day-old conflict began late on 7 August when Georgian forces bombarded South Ossetia, where a majority of people hold Russian passports.The five-day-old conflict began late on 7 August when Georgian forces bombarded South Ossetia, where a majority of people hold Russian passports.
Russia quickly became involved, bombing targets throughout Georgia and sending troops in to recapture South Ossetia.Russia quickly became involved, bombing targets throughout Georgia and sending troops in to recapture South Ossetia.
Some 100,000 people are estimated to have been displaced by the conflict.Some 100,000 people are estimated to have been displaced by the conflict.
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