Sarkozy proposes three-point plan to end fighting

Paris: France, holder of the rotating European Union presidency, proposed a three-point plan on Saturday to end fighting in South Ossetia that included a call for both sides to withdraw to their previous positions.

President Nicolas Sarkozy's office said in a statement he discussed his concern with the leaders of Georgia, Britain, Ukraine, Spain and Italy earlier in the day.

He would also hold discussions with the leaders of Russia, Germany, Poland and the United States, it said.

The statement said European Union foreign ministers would hold an emergency meeting early next week to assess the situation and consider ways to end the conflict.

Sarkozy proposed a three-point plan, including an immediate halt to hostilities and full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, it said.

The plan also called for "the re-establishment of the situation with prevailed previously in the area, implying the retreat of Russian and Georgian forces to their previous positions".

The French Foreign Ministry said later that Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchne would travel to the region on Sunday.

The government said he would was going at Sarkozy's request to put the French proposals to the parties concerned.