Russian television has shown pictures of a Russian journalist being handed over by the army to Chechen rebels.

The journalist, Andrei Babitsky, worked for the American-funded station, Radio Liberty, and was detained by the Russians for allegedly working in Chechnya without accreditation.

Moscow announced yesterday that he had been exchanged for Russian soldiers held by the Chechens.

In Washington, the State Department has condemned Mr Babitsky's hand-over as unacceptable, saying it raised questions about Moscow's treatment of civilians in the war.

Meanwhile, Russian forces are poised to raise their flag over the centre of Grozny.

A BBC correspondent in Moscow says the siege of the city is over but people are still fleeing the fighting which has accompanied the rebel retreat.

The French foreign minister, Hubert Vedrine, is the latest Western official to be visiting Moscow expressing concern about the Chechen campaign.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service