China calls for ceasefire in South Ossetia

BEIJING, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- China on Saturday expressed "serious concern" over the escalating conflict in Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia, calling for a ceasefire.

"China is seriously concerned about the worsening situation and armed conflict in South Ossetia," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in a written statement.

"We call on the relevant parties to keep restraint and cease fire immediately," Qin said.

"We sincerely expect the parties concerned to settle the dispute through dialogue and safeguard the regional peace and stability."

Georgian armed forces traded gunfire with militants of South Ossetia near the regional capital Tskhinvali overnight Thursday into Friday, and South Ossetia said the number of fatalities is estimated at over 1, 000.

MOSCOW, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Russian tanks and troops have entered the region of South Ossetia and are approaching regional capital Tskhinvali, Russian news agencies reported.

Russian army units are approaching Tskhinvali to help peacekeepers in the conflict zone with Georgia, which tried to regain control of the region, said Col. Igor Konashenkov, aide to the Russian Land Forces commander. Full story

MOSCOW, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili said in A televised address on Friday that he had declared all-out mobilization of reservists, the Itar-Tass news agency reported.

"The mobilization of reserve troops has been declared and is ongoing," he said. Full story

MOSCOW, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Georgian armed forces traded gunfire with militants of the breakaway region of South Ossetia near the regional capital Tskhinvali overnight Thursday into Friday, killing at least 15 people, news reports said.

Georgian forces shelled Tskhinvali and 15 people were killed in the conflict, the Interfax news agency reported. Full story

MOSCOW, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili said on Thursday he was offering its breakaway region South Ossetia a ceasefire following days of conflicts.

"I beg you (South Ossetians) to cease fire immediately. We have no wish to wage war against you. Don't try the patience of our country. Let's stop this escalation and start talks -- direct, multilateral, any kind of talks," Saakashvili was quoted by the RIA Novosti news agency as saying. Full story

UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday expressed deep concern about rising violence in South Ossetia, a breakaway region of Georgia.

"The secretary-general expresses his serious concern about the mounting violence in South Ossetia (Georgia)," said a statement issued by Ban's press office. Full story