On Wednesday the Parliament of Abkhazia, one of the two de facto independent republics within the Georgian state, officially asked the Russian Government to recognize its independence and to maintain its military presence in Abkhazia. Eduard Kokoity, the president of the other self-proclaimed republic, South Ossetia, has said that his country will follow suit very soon. Russian sources, meanwhile, have revealed that a special meeting of the Federation Council, the Russian upper house, will take place on Monday to discuss the issue.

NouvelObs.com reports that the president of the Council has stated that the house is "ready" to recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states "if this is the wish of the peoples of these republics".

But the final status of the breakaway republics remains uncertain. Russia is unlikely simply to recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states and is expected to increase its influence over the territories, either by annexing them (especially in the case of South Ossetia) or by giving them a status of associated republic (more likely for Abkhazia).

Accusations of ethnic cleansing
As journalists and humanitarian aid staff reach the scene of the conflict, a clearer picture of the level of violence is emerging. Survivors have accused both sides of killing civilians indiscriminately, as reported here by The New York Times and here by Caucasian knot.

Further information:

• Nouvel Observateur: Abkhazie et Ossétie veulent voir leur indépendance reconnue
• Courrier International: Géorgie: les Russes tardent à se retirer, sont prêts à reconnaître l'Abkhazie et l'Ossétie du Sud
• The New York Times: Survivors in Georgia Tell of Ethnic Killings
• Caucasian Knot: Russia brings case on genocide in South Ossetia