Georgia blames Russians in crisis

One of the bridges blown up was the main crossing point into Ajaria

Georgia's president has alleged Russian involvement in the blowing-up of three bridges linking Georgia to its rebellious Black Sea region of Ajaria.

Mikhail Saakashvili accused retired Russian general Yuri Netkachov of being behind the operation and later appealed to Moscow to help pacify the situation.

The Ajarian leadership says it felt threatened by Georgian military exercises close to the border.

Tbilisi has warned that the region is on the verge of a humanitarian crisis.

With bridges and railway tracks between Ajaria and the rest of the country severed, the region is in self-imposed blockade.

Local people report food prices are rising as people stock up on staples.

Horns locked

Mr Saakashvili has been locking horns with renegade Ajarian leader Aslan Abashidze since being swept to power in last year's "rose revolution".

Mr Abashidze has so far refused to bow to demands that he disarm paramilitary fighters in the region in 10 days or face the sack and fresh elections.

Far from disarming, reports suggest fighters loyal to Mr Abashidze are patrolling the streets and even handing out weapons to civilians.

Ajarian tycoon defects to Tbilisi

On Monday, the crisis took on international dimensions when Mr Saakashvili accused the high-ranking former Russian general of masterminding the demolition of bridges and railway lines.

Speaking at a military base near the capital Tbilisi, Mr Saakashvili called Mr Netkachov a "terrorist" and added: "Russia's law enforcement authorities should prevent people like that from entering Georgia", the AFP news agency reported.

But speaking to CNN later - and probably mindful of stirring tensions with his powerful neighbour - Mr Saakashvili said he did not think Moscow had ordered the action.

He appealed to the Russian government to "help us, spare us and get rid of some people who fly in and blow up bridges and stir up trouble", Reuters said.

The time is not to blow [up] bridges, the time is to build bridges Council of Europe

The US state department says it is "deeply concerned" about Mr Abashidze's actions.

It says American officials have been in contact with officials from both sides.

And earlier on Monday the 45-country Council of Europe - the continent's main human rights body - urged both sides to ease tensions.

Stepping stones

The Georgian government is warning of an impending humanitarian crisis in Ajaria.

Our correspondent in the Ajarian capital, Batumi, says that stepping stones across the river are now the only way into the region.

Tbilisi says the country is losing some $350,000 per day in transit trade with Turkey alone - a hefty sum for this impoverished country, says the BBC's Natalia Antelava.