From correspondents in Europe, 08:01 AM IST

Georgia has announced an immediate unilateral ceasefire in the conflict over South Ossetia, the Georgian foreign ministry was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying.

From an order by President Mikheil Saakashvili, the forces of Georgia were ordered to cease fire as of Aug 10, a diplomatic note to the Russian foreign ministry was reported as saying.

According to Georgian sources, all 'military units' are to be withdrawn from 'the conflict area'.

'Georgia has created a corridor for humanitarian purposes and enabled the population as well as the wounded to leave the conflict area,' the foreign ministry in Tbilisi reported.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)