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/7558399.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Violence flares in Georgian town Violence flares in Georgian town
(about 1 hour later)
Violence has flared up in Georgia, where Russian tanks have been seen patrolling the town of Gori, says the BBC's Gavin Hewitt near the scene.Violence has flared up in Georgia, where Russian tanks have been seen patrolling the town of Gori, says the BBC's Gavin Hewitt near the scene.
One witness told the BBC he saw a convoy of Russian vehicles on the road to the Georgian capital Tbilisi. Russia has denied reports that a convoy of its vehicles seen on the road to the Georgian capital are heading there.
People leaving the town say there is looting going on involving South Ossetian separatists. People leaving Gori say there is looting going on involving South Ossetian separatists.
The BBC's Sarah Rainsford in the South Ossetian capital, Tskhinvali, says many buildings have been totally destroyed.The BBC's Sarah Rainsford in the South Ossetian capital, Tskhinvali, says many buildings have been totally destroyed.
A ceasefire is in place, but it seems to be very fragile, correspondents say.A ceasefire is in place, but it seems to be very fragile, correspondents say.
In Gori, the Russian tanks seem to be dismantling and destroying Georgian army bases in the town, our correspondent says.In Gori, the Russian tanks seem to be dismantling and destroying Georgian army bases in the town, our correspondent says.
It is not clear where the Russian convoy on the Tibilisi road is heading.
See map of the region See map of the region
There are reports of residents being stripped of their belongings at gunpoint on the entrances to the city. It is not clear where the Russian convoy on the Tbilisi road is heading.
There is a pall of smoke over Gori's market, but it is not clear if any more fighting has been going on in the town. Eyewitnesses have told the BBC that some vehicles have turned off the road. However, it is unclear how many have done so or what progress the remaining vehicles are making.
Terrified residents have watched their houses being torched, and the situation may well be worse in outlying villages, our correspondent adds. We are determined to act on the ground Bernard KouchnerFrench foreign minister class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7558537.stm">France wants EU role in Georgia
Georgia's President Mikhail Saakashvili told the US network CNN that Russian forces were moving towards the capital and planned to encircle the city.
However, Russia has denied reports that its forces are heading towards Tbilisi. Georgian Deputy Interior Minister Eka Zguladze also said in televised remarks that a convoy of Russian tanks had left Gori but was not heading for the capital.
Foreign ministers from the European Union, speaking in Brussels following emergency talks, expressed broad support for proposals to send EU peacekeepers to the area to supervise the French-brokered ceasefire.
"We are determined to act on the ground," said French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner.
"It is difficult to say we are optimistic... but we are encouraged by what we saw this morning, but we have to go through the United Nations."
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said the EU was committed to providing humanitarian aid and assistance with reconstruction once the security situation allowed.
A key element of the peace deal calls for all forces to return to the areas where they were before fighting broke out last week.
Checkpoint
In Gori, there are reports of residents being stripped of their belongings at gunpoint at the entrances to the city.
A pall of smoke hangs over Gori's market, but it is not clear if any more fighting has been going on in the town.
Terrified residents have watched their houses being torched, and the situation may well be worse in outlying villages, our correspondent in Gori says.
There is also a Russian checkpoint with two Russian tanks outside Gori on the main road leading into the town from the Georgian capital Tbilisi, an eyewitness told the BBC.There is also a Russian checkpoint with two Russian tanks outside Gori on the main road leading into the town from the Georgian capital Tbilisi, an eyewitness told the BBC.
But the Russian foreign ministry says it has no Russian troops left in Gori, Reuters news agency reports.But the Russian foreign ministry says it has no Russian troops left in Gori, Reuters news agency reports.
On Tuesday, Russian forces said their military activity in the area was completed after Georgian security forces were driven out of the town during fighting.On Tuesday, Russian forces said their military activity in the area was completed after Georgian security forces were driven out of the town during fighting.
Wrecked cityWrecked city
In Tskhinvali, the main offices of the local administration are a blackened shell, says our correspondent in the South Ossetian capital.In Tskhinvali, the main offices of the local administration are a blackened shell, says our correspondent in the South Ossetian capital.
There are apartment buildings all around with smashed windows, with bullet and shrapnel damage and gaping holes where there used to be windows. Two Georgian tanks stand on a square near what was the main base of Russian peacekeepers.There are apartment buildings all around with smashed windows, with bullet and shrapnel damage and gaping holes where there used to be windows. Two Georgian tanks stand on a square near what was the main base of Russian peacekeepers.
Residents who are out trying to clear their wrecked homes say they have no water and no electricity.Residents who are out trying to clear their wrecked homes say they have no water and no electricity.
The streets are quiet now, but houses were on fire in villages along the route to the city, our correspondent adds.The streets are quiet now, but houses were on fire in villages along the route to the city, our correspondent adds.
Tskhinvali itself is under Russian control now and there are no reports of any serious fighting, but there is no confirmation as to when the Russian troops will withdraw, a Russian military spokesman said.Tskhinvali itself is under Russian control now and there are no reports of any serious fighting, but there is no confirmation as to when the Russian troops will withdraw, a Russian military spokesman said.
Foreign ministers from the European Union are holding emergency talks in Brussels on the crisis between Russia and Georgia.
A key element calls for all forces to return to the areas where they were before fighting broke out last week.
Some 100,000 people are estimated to have been displaced by the conflict, which has created huge tensions in international relations.Some 100,000 people are estimated to have been displaced by the conflict, which has created huge tensions in international relations.
Back to storyBack to story
Are you in one of the affected areas of Georgia, South Ossetia and Abkhazia? Tell us what is happening where you are using the form below:Are you in one of the affected areas of Georgia, South Ossetia and Abkhazia? Tell us what is happening where you are using the form below:
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Read the terms and conditions Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Read the 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.
Name
 Name