Georgian state minister for reintegration Temure Iakobashvili has announced at 18:40 today that the government had made a decision to cease fire towards the separatists in order to avoid military confrontation in the Tskhinvali region.

Temur Iakobashvili said it was another attempt of Georgian government to convince the separatists on talks but neither of the de facto officials were responding to their calls. He said Kokoity was not in Tskhinvali and Chochiev was ignoring his phone calls.

''It is another attempt of Georgian government to avoid military confrontation,'' Iakobashvili announced.