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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Russia 'ends Georgia operation' | Russia 'ends Georgia operation' |
| (10 minutes 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 taken the decision to end the campaign after restoring security for civilians and peacekeepers in South Ossetia. | |
| However, Russia has been highly critical of Georgia's leadership, and there were no signs of imminent talks. | However, Russia has been highly critical of Georgia's leadership, and there were no signs of imminent talks. |
| Before the announcement, there were fresh reports of Russian warplanes bombing the Georgian town of Gori. | Before the announcement, there were fresh reports of Russian warplanes bombing the Georgian town of Gori. |
| Witnesses told the BBC that several people were killed when a bomb hit a hospital in the town, which is 10 miles (15km) from the South Ossetian capital, Tskhinvali. name="top"> class="bodl" href="#map">Click to view a 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. | |
| Officials in the Netherlands, meanwhile, confirmed that a Dutch TV cameraman was among those killed in Gori and a journalist was wounded. | |
| And 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. | And 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. |
| 'Safety restored' | 'Safety restored' |
| 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. | 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. |
| According to a statement, Mr Medvedev told his defence minister and chief of staff that "the goal has been attained". Should centres of resistance or other aggressive attempts arise, you must take the decision to destroy them Dmitry MedvedevRussian president class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7136556.stm">Profile: Dmitry Medvedev class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7551576.stm">Day-by-day: Georgia-Russia crisis | |
| "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. | "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. |
| "The aggressor has been punished, having sustained considerable losses. Its armed forces have been disorganised," he added. | "The aggressor has been punished, having sustained considerable losses. Its armed forces have been disorganised," he added. |
| The BBC's James Rodgers, in Moscow, said 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, said 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." |
| 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. |
| Our correspondent said there was no sign of Russian troops south of Gori, but said there were a number of Georgian military vehicles abandoned or burnt on the road outside the town. | Our correspondent said there was no sign of Russian troops south of Gori, but said there were a number of Georgian military vehicles abandoned or burnt on the road outside the town. |
| Back 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. |