By IRNA,
London : Britain Saturday joined international calls for a ceasefire in South Ossetia province as Russian jets carried out a reported series of strikes on military targets in the central Georgian city of Gori.
“We urge an immediate ceasefire in the fighting in South Ossetia and for a resumption of direct dialogue between all parties,” the Foreign Office said, echoing calls by NATO and the European Union for a halt to the fighting.
A spokesman added that the British government was closely monitoring the situation and keeping its travel advice under review although as yet it was not advising against all travel to Georgia.
The British call comes after NATO urged “an immediate end of the armed clashes and direct talks between the parties” amid fears that Russia and Georgia, a former Soviet state, was on the brink of war.
France, holding the rotating EU presidency, also called for “the greatest restraint” and for a “dialogue between all parties which is the only way to a lasting solution of the crisis.”
On Friday, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said his country was seeking “to force the Georgian side to peace” as it sought to regain control over South Ossetia province bordering Russia.
In New York, the permanent members of the UN Security Council failed to agree on the wording of a statement calling for a ceasefire.
Britain, the US and France, are pinpointing what they say is Russia’s aggression as the key factor in the slide towards war, while Moscow insists Georgia is to blame.