Georgia has ordered its forces to cease fire, and offered to start talks with Russia over an end to hostilities in South Ossetia, Georgian officials say.

Earlier Georgia said its troops had pulled out of the breakaway region and that Russian forces were in control of its capital, Tskhinvali.

Thousands of civilians have fled the area, following heavy Heavy civilian casualties reported in South Ossetia conflict ...
Georgia attacks South Ossetia ... fighting that broke out on Thursday night.

The US has described Russia's actions as "dangerous and disproportionate".

US Deputy National Security Adviser James Jeffrey warned that if the Russian escalation continued, it would have a "significant" long-term impact on relations between Moscow and Washington.

Fighting in South Ossetia was reported to be less intense on Sunday, as Russian forces took control and Georgian troops drew back.

Local residents fleeing the area on Sunday morning told the BBC there was continued fighting on the outskirts of Tskhinvali, although the city itself was relatively quiet.

But Georgia said Russian jets were still carrying out bombing raids, including hitting a military airfield close to the Georgian capital, Tbilisi.

(BBC)

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