Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvilicalled for an end to the fighting Saturday, shortly before gettingapproval from the Georgian parliament to declare a 15-day period ofmartial law.
South Ossetia's capital Tskinvali was in ruins asthe region entered its second day of fighting between separatists andGeorgian forces. At the same time, officials reported Russianwarplanes hit targets in the breakaway region of Abkhazia.
Georgiahad launched an offensive Friday to retake control of breakaway SouthOssetia from separatists. Russia, which has close ties to theprovince, responded by sending troops to protect civilians and force acease-fire.
The countries disagree on whether Georgia hasgained control of the region. Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvilisaid there was little doubt that Georgia had taken over.
Saakashvilisaid Georgia was in full control of Tskinvali, adding that the city hasbeen cleaned of bandit gangs. He noted that the city has suffered greatdamage from crossfire, while Russian planes bombed the city.
AsRussian tanks and armored personnel carriers rumbled through thestreets, evacuees expressed fear and uncertainty about the future.Irina, a passenger at an airport terminal who did not give her lastname, lamented the current state of affairs.
Irina says shebelieves the violence was not necessary. She says she has sympathy forthe Georgian people because her husband is there. She says she is alsoemotional for Russians because her mother there.
The recentspate of violence is the worst to break out since the region won defacto independence in 1992. South Ossetians are eager to join fellowOssetians in North Ossetia, which was included within Russian bordersfollowing the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.