World | Other World Stories
Georgia parliament approves a 'state of war'
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said on Saturday he would ask parliament to approve the introduction of martial law while Georgian forces battle Russian and separatist forces in the rebel South Ossetia region.
Tbilisi: Georgia's parliament approved a state of war across the country on Saturday following days of fighting against separatists in its South Ossetia region and their Russian allies.
"The state of war will be valid for 15 days," stated the decree by President Mikheil Saakashvili that parliament approved.
Saakashvili had said he pushed for the decree to be approved because "Georgia is now facing military aggression from Russia".
Russian forces have joined separatists in South Ossetia fighting Georgian soldiers, and Russian jets have bombed military and civilian targets in Georgia.
Russia says it is defending its allies in South Ossetia and accused Georgia of triggering the heavy fighting that erupted on Friday.
Share this article
Related Articles
News Editor's choice
-
A year after 173 defenceless people were killed
Mumbai itself is far from safe from another deadly attack, even though the level of security consciousness of the average Mumbaikar has been raised since 26/11
-
Nato supports Obama's plea
European and other allies to send around 6,000 troops to Afghanistan
-
Official confirms mayor is the suspect
Many witnesses have come forward, justice secretary says
-
Into an oasis of values
A place to snuggle in the warmth of old manners away from the bustle of city life

