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/7555858.stm

The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 12 Version 13
Russia 'ends Georgia operation' Russia 'ends Georgia operation'
(about 1 hour 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 that the safety of Russian citizens and peacekeepers in South Ossetia had been restored.
Mr Medvedev's announcement followed fresh reports of Russian warplanes bombing the Georgian town of Gori. Russia also backed an EU plan to end the five-day-old conflict. Envoys will now try to get Georgian approval.
The conflict began last Thursday, when Russia responded to Georgian military action in South Ossetia. Each side continues to accuse the other of breaking ceasefire accords, and analysts warn that the two remain far apart on a number of issues.
But Russia has also bombed areas outside the breakaway region - including Gori, which is less than 80km (50 miles) from the Georgian capital Tbilisi. The conflict began overnight last Thursday, when Russia responded to Georgian military action in South Ossetia.
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. 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. Russia received heavy criticism on Monday after its troops pushed on from the secessionist territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia into the towns of Gori in central Georgia and Senaki in the west.
Officials in the Netherlands have confirmed that a Dutch TV cameraman was among those killed in Gori and another journalist was wounded. On Tuesday morning there were more reports of fighting near Gori, but witnesses later said that Russian troops appeared to have pulled back from both towns.
Should centres of resistance or other aggressive attempts arise, you must take the decision to destroy them Dmitry MedvedevRussian president href="/1/hi/world/europe/7136556.stm">Profile: Dmitry Medvedev class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7551576.stm">Day-by-day: Georgia-Russia crisisGeorgia's civilian emergency SIX-POINT PEACE PLAN No more use of forceStop all military actions for goodFree access to humanitarian aid Georgian troops return to their places of permanent deploymentRussian troops to return to pre-conflict positionsInternational talks about future status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia href="/1/hi/world/europe/7556503.stm">Analysis: Russia's endgame class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7551576.stm">Day-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. French President Nicolas Sarkozy, in his current role as EU president, held talks with Mr Medvedev in Moscow for most of the day.
But our correspondent later said military action in the area appeared to have stopped. In a joint news conference, they said a six-point peace plan had been agreed by Russia and would now be taken to Georgia.
After Mr Medvedev's statement, tens of thousands of Georgians gathered in Tbilisi's main square to hear President Mikhail Saakashvili speak. The deal included a pledge to pull troops on both sides back to their pre-conflict positions, and a plan to begin international discussions about the future status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
The president told the crowd that Russia was continuing its "ruthless, heartless destruction" of Georgian citizens - although the Kremlin denied his claims. If Georgia agrees to the plan, Mr Medvedev said the "path to a gradual normalisation" in South Ossetia was open.
But during the same press conference, Mr Medvedev called Georgian troops "lunatics" and accused Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili of lying over a previous ceasefire agreement.
And just hours earlier, tens of thousands of Georgians gathered in Tbilisi's main square to hear Mr Saakashvili claim that Russia was continuing its "ruthless, heartless destruction" of Georgian citizens.
Neither side's claims could be verified, but analysts point out that the inflamed rhetoric signifies how far away from an agreement they are.
In other developments:In other developments:
• 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.
• Nato said Russia's withdrawal announcement was "not enough" and that it deplored the "disproportionate" force used by Moscow.• 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.• 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. • He also announced that Russian peacekeepers in Georgia's other breakaway region, Abkhazia, would 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.• 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.• British oil firm BP closed a key pipeline that runs through Georgia.
'Safety restored''Safety restored'
According to a Kremlin 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".
"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 RussiaRussia 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." But 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."
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.
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 influence
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.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.
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," 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."
France's president says the ceasefire is good news
The BBC's diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall 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.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.
Back to storyBack to story
Are you in the region? Are you or your relatives in any of the affected areas? What are your experiences? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in the region? Are you or your relatives in any of the affected areas? What are your experiences? Send us your comments using the form below.
Name
 Name