Russian Troops Withdraw From Gori

Sky News
Thursday, Aug 14, 2008

Russian troops have begun pulling out from Gori, the Georgian city that has been hit by shelling and looting, according to Georgia's Interior Ministry.

Their presence in the town had raised fears that Russia would challenge a cease-fire agreement brokered following five days of bloody conflict over the breakaway Georgian province of South Ossetia.

Georgian police on the outskirts of Gori were halting civilian traffic and scores of light vehicles carrying Georgian soldiers were parked in the area.

Meanwhile, a Russian defence ministry source told Sky News an unmanned Georgian spy plane had been shot down over South Ossetia.

The first planeload of US aid has been delivered to Georgia as Washington steps up its support of the shaky ceasefire.

A C-17 military aircraft brought supplies into the capital Tbilisi and a second flight is planned for later today.

George Bush has promised to support Georgia with humanitarian supplies and said he expects Russia to allow aid into the country, ensuring all lines of communication and transport remain open.

Georgia's President Mikheil Saakashvili said Mr Bush's pledge meant Georgian ports and airports would be taken under US military control but this claim was swiftly denied by the Pentagon.

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