Russia resumes gas supplies to Georgia

Russia has resumed gas supplies to Georgia following an appeal by the Georgian President, Eduard Shevardnadze to President Putin and the Russian Prime Minister, Mikhail Kasyanov.

Mr Shevardnadze wrote to the Russian leadership urging them to help resolve the issue of gas supplies which were stopped on Monday because of escalating tensions between the two countries over the war in Chechnya.

Yesterday, Mr Shevardnadze also sent his energy minister, David Mirtskhulava, to Moscow for talks.

Georgia is almost entirely dependent on Russia for gas.

In addition to tensions over Chechnya -- Moscow has accused Georgia of harbouring rebel fighters -- the two countries are negotiating a phased withdrawal of Russian troops from Georgian territory.

Talks on the issue ended without final agreement late last month.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service