Tanks 'Not Heading To Tbilisi'

Sky News
Friday, Aug 29, 2008

Georgia's deputy interior minister has rejected reports Russian forces were heading from the Georgian city of Gori toward the capital Tbilisi.

Witnesses had earlier said a column of Russian tanks had been seen heading from Gori towards Tbilisi, amid reports killing and looting was taking place.

"A convoy of Russian tanks left Gori, but is not heading to Tbilisi," Eka Zguladze said.

"I'd like to calm everybody down. The Russian military is not advancing towards the capital."

However, the Georgian foreign ministry said in a statement that Russian forces were blocking the main Georgian highway connecting South Ossetia with the rest of the country.

"Unfortunately, we are forced to restate the very fact that the principal agreement reached ... on the ceasefire and the return of the armed formations to the places of their permanent dislocation is being permanently violated by the Russian Federation," the statement read.