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/7557457.stm

The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Russia 'backs Georgia peace plan' Russia 'backs Georgia peace plan'
(10 minutes later)
Russia has approved a plan intended to end fighting with Georgia, brokered by French President Nicolas Sarkozy.Russia has approved a plan intended to end fighting with Georgia, brokered by French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Mr Sarkozy, whose country holds the EU presidency, is now in Tbilisi trying to persuade Georgians to accept the deal.Mr Sarkozy, whose country holds the EU presidency, is now in Tbilisi trying to persuade Georgians to accept the deal.
Under the plan, both sides would agree not to use force, and all troops would return to the positions they were in before the conflict began last week.Under the plan, both sides would agree not to use force, and all troops would return to the positions they were in before the conflict began last week.
Earlier, Russia announced its military activity in the area was completed and witnesses reported troops pulling back.Earlier, Russia announced its military activity in the area was completed and witnesses reported troops pulling back.
But despite the diplomacy and apparent withdrawal, rhetoric on both sides has remained fiery and analysts predicted a long road to peace. name="link"> class="bodl" href="#map">See map of the region But despite the diplomacy and apparent withdrawal, rhetoric on both sides has remained fiery and analysts predicted a long road to peace.
Fighting flared last Thursday night with Georgian bombing in South Ossetia - a region nominally part of Georgia, but with de facto independence and where a majority of people hold Russian passports. name="link"> class="bodl" href="#map">See map of the region
Fighting flared last Thursday night when Georgia sent its army to regain control of South Ossetia - a region nominally part of Georgia, but with de facto independence and where a majority of people hold Russian passports.
Russia moved in forcefully, sending troops into South Ossetia and Abkhazia, another breakaway province. Georgian towns away from the two regions were also bombed.Russia moved in forcefully, sending troops into South Ossetia and Abkhazia, another breakaway province. Georgian towns away from the two regions were also bombed.
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.
Several countries, including the US, a major ally of Georgia, have been critical of Moscow's actions.Several countries, including the US, a major ally of Georgia, have been critical of Moscow's actions.
Reacting to Russia's ceasefire declaration, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said it was now vital for all sides to stop fighting, adding that Russian military operations "really do now need to stop because calm needs to be restored".Reacting to Russia's ceasefire declaration, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said it was now vital for all sides to stop fighting, adding that Russian military operations "really do now need to stop because calm needs to be restored".
'Lunatics' gibe'Lunatics' gibe
Mr Sarkozy, in his current role as EU president, held talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in Moscow for most of the day.Mr Sarkozy, in his current role as EU president, held talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in Moscow for most of the day.
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 return to pre-conflict positionsInternational talks about future status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia Peace deal all in the timingGori smoulders after fightingFalling victim to pipeline politicsGeorgia's civilian emergencySIX-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 return to pre-conflict positionsInternational talks about future status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia Peace deal all in the timingGori smoulders after fightingFalling victim to pipeline politicsGeorgia's civilian emergency
In a joint news conference, they said a six-point peace plan had been agreed by Russia.In a joint news conference, they said a six-point peace plan had been agreed by Russia.
The deal included a pledge to begin international discussions about the future status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.The deal included a pledge to begin international discussions about the future status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
If Georgia agrees to the plan, Mr Medvedev said the "path to a gradual normalisation" in South Ossetia was open.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 President Mikhail Saakashvili of lying over a previous ceasefire agreement.But during the same press conference, Mr Medvedev called Georgian troops "lunatics" and accused 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. Mr Sarkozy has now landed in Tbilisi for talks with Mr Saakashvili.
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.Neither side's claims could be verified, but analysts point out that the inflamed rhetoric signifies how far away from an agreement they are.
And there are other issues likely to hamper any possible accord.And there are other issues likely to hamper any possible accord.
Separatist rebels are continued to fight Georgian troops in the Kodori Gorge region of Abkhazia - the only area of Abkhazia still under Georgian military control. Separatist rebels are continuing to fight Georgian troops in the Kodori Gorge region of Abkhazia - the only area of Abkhazia still under Georgian military control.
And Georgia has filed several complaints with international bodies over Russia's actions - including one alleging ethnic cleansing at the International Criminal Court. Georgia has meanwhile filed several complaints with international bodies over Russia's actions - including one at the International Court of Justice alleging ethnic cleansing.
Mr Saakashvili told crowds in Tbilisi that Russian peacekeepers in Abkhazia would now be regarded as an occupying army - ending an agreement in place since 1994.Mr Saakashvili told crowds in Tbilisi that Russian peacekeepers in Abkhazia would now be regarded as an occupying army - ending an agreement in place since 1994.
And he also said Georgia would leave the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) - a Moscow-dominated group which includes most of the former Soviet republics. And he also said Georgia would leave the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) - a Moscow-dominated group that includes most of the former Soviet republics.
Mr Sarkozy landed in Tbilisi late on Tuesday for talks with Mr Saakashvili.
The Georgian town of Gori has been bombed several times
Back to storyBack to story