Russian leader visits S Ossetia

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is making his first visit to the breakaway Georgian region of South Ossetia since Russia's war with Georgia last year.

He is currently holding talks with the territory's separatist leader, Eduard Kokoity, in the capital, Tskhinvali.

Russia is one of only two countries to have recognised the independence of South Ossetia and Georgia's other breakaway region, Abkhazia.

Georgia still regards South Ossetia as part of its sovereign territory.

Tbilisi said Mr Medvedev's visit on Monday, less than a month before the anniversary of last year's conflict, was an act of provocation.

The brief war last August saw Georgian attempts to regain control of South Ossetia repelled by Russian forces.

Under an EU-sponsored ceasefire, monitors were sent to Georgia. But thousands of Russian troops remain in both breakaway regions.

In May, Georgia blamed Russia for a brief mutiny among its soldiers, saying it was part of a coup which aimed to kill Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili. Moscow denied the accusation, calling it "mad".