The British government urged on Saturday a ceasefire in Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia where the ongoing conflict has reportedly killed 1,500 people.
Britain was "deeply concerned by the violence in Georgia," Foreign Secretary David Miliband said in a statement, adding, "The escalation in fighting is dangerously destabilizing and there is also the threat of civilian losses on a large scale."
"The UK believes it is vital for leaderships on both sides to call for fighting to cease and for peace talks to start as soon as possible. I have also agreed to send Sir Brian Fall, our Representative for the South Caucasus, to Georgia tonight as part of an EU/OSCE mission," said Miliband.
"I am today holding high level consultations with European Foreign Ministers and with the U.S. Secretary of State," said the secretary.
Miliband said that Britain would be discussing with all its partners how to stop the spread of violence, secure a ceasefire and get talks underway.
South Ossetia declared independence from Georgia in the early 1990s. Since then it was governed by a secessionist government although its independence has not been internationally recognized.
On Friday, Georgian troops began military actions against South Ossetia's forces in an attempt to re-establish control over the region. In response, Russian troops moved into the region to fight the Georgian forces and its warplanes bombed the region.
Russia said the two-day conflict has killed 1,500 people and that the death toll is expected to rise.
Source: Xinhua
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