LONDON (AFP) — Britain on Saturday urged Russia to accept Georgia's offer of a ceasefire as it expressed "widespread concern" about the escalating violence in the conflict over South Ossetia.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband said: "The immediate priority for the international community is to stop the conflict.
"The responsibility on the Russian and Georgian governments is now clear. "The offer of a ceasefire by the Georgian government is very welcome. We now look to the Russian government to accept this offer and agree to an immediate ceasefire, in line with its international commitments to respect Georgian territorial integrity."
In a statement, Miliband said British representatives in the region had reported "that Russia has extended the fighting today well beyond South Ossetia" by attacking the Georgian port of Poti and the town of Gori.
Miliband also said he had reports that Abkhaz forces had shelled Georgian positions in the Upper Kodori valley.
"I deplore this," the British foreign minister said.
Another British minister Des Browne, said earlier that a joint European-US mission was due in Georgia Saturday evening to try to help broker a ceasefire with Russia.
Browne said the joint mission comprised diplomats from the European Union, the United States and the OSCE pan-European security body.
Russia warplanes bombed targets across Georgia on Saturday as the conflict over South Ossetia escalated, with the Georgian president accusing Russia of trying to "annihilate" his country, which is a former Soviet republic.
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