By IRNA,
New York : United Nations Security Council convenes on Saturday to end war in South Ossetia as it failed to agree Friday on a statement calling for an immediate truce.
Diplomats said a Belgian-drafted compromise text also urges the warring sides to “show restraint and to refrain from any further acts of violence or force,” calls for respect by the parties of past accords and for the provision of humanitarian aid to victims.
Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin insisted on the need for Georgia to agree to a formal renunciation of the use of force by either side.
Fighting is underway for for a second night running in the Georgian separatist region of South Ossetia on Saturday.
Russia dispatched an armored column into South Ossetia on Friday after Georgia launched a surprise offensive to crush separatists.
Witnesses said hundreds of civilians were killed.
The fighting, which devastated the capital of Tskhinvali, threatened to ignite a wider war between Georgia and Russia, and escalate tensions between Moscow and Washington. Georgia said it was forced to launch the assault because of rebel attacks; the separatists alleged Georgia violated a cease-fire.
Georgia’s Foreign Ministry accused Russian aircraft of bombing two military air bases inside Georgia, inflicting some casualties and destroying several military aircraft.