Georgian truce with Abkhazia comes into effect

A ceasefire agreed between Georgia and the breakaway region of Abkhazia has come into effect after several days of heavy fighting between Georgian guerillas and Abkhaz forces.

The clashes in the demilitarised border area of Gali were the worst since Abkhazia seceded five years ago.

The ceasefire agreement calls for a withdrawal of forces.

It also specifies safety guarantees to allow a prompt return home for as many as 35,000 refugees, who the Georgian President, Eduard Shevardnadze, says have fled into government territory.

The recent escalation in fighting began when Georgian guerrilla units, mostly drawn from the 150,000 refugees forced out of Abkhazia in 1993, attacked Abkhaz troops in the breakaway province.

The Abkhaz retaliated by launching a punitive operation against Georgian villages in the area.

Mr Shevardnadze has ruled out deploying troops to the area, saying such a move could lead to an escalation of violence.

He said: "The involvement of the regular Army ... would lead us to a major military confrontation."

Earlier he called on the international community to help end the killing.

Mr Shevardnadze has criticised the Russian peace-keeping forces who patrol the area under attack.