Washington: The US called on Russia to immediately halt hostilities in the break away province of South Ossetia after its air planes pounded three Georgian military bases and other key facilities early on Saturday.
"We call on Russia to cease air and missile attacks on Georgia, respect its territorial integrity and withdraw the ground combat forces from Georgian soil," the Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said.
Russian tanks and troops entered provincial capital Tskhinvali for a counter attack after Georgia, a staunch US ally, on Friday and launched a major military offensive to reclaim the pro-Moscow republic from separatists, triggering heavy
street fighting that is said to have left hundreds dead or injured.
Rice said Washington has sought international mediation and plans to send its envoy to the region in efforts to end the fighting.
"The US is working actively with its European partners to launch international mediation. We urgently seek Russia's support of these efforts," she said in a statement.
"We underscore the international community's support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders as articulated in numerous UN Security Council resolutions," Rice said.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Senate Foreign relations Committee Senator Joseph Biden urged Russia to avoid further worsening of the situation and resolve the issue diplomatically.
"In view of Russia's past provocative actions in South Ossetia, including the recent overflight of the region by its warplanes on July 8th, Moscow has a particular obligation to avoid further escalation of the situation," he said.
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