The United States has said that it does not recognize the elections held in Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia at the weekend.
Second round of voting in 20 districts in Abkhazia's parliamentary election were completed on Sunday. Thirty-three MPs were elected in the first round held in 15 districts on March 10.
South Ossetia's presidential election has run into a second round as none of the candidates could win a clear majority in the first round held on Sunday. Former KGB chief Leonid Tibilov led the first round winning more than 42 percent of votes, while 35-year-old human rights ombudsman David Sanakoyev came second with about 25 percent.
Kremlin favorite Dmitry Medoyev was eliminated as he received one percent less.
The presidential election now extends to a run-off between Tibilov and Sanakoyev set for April 8.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland at a daily Press Briefing on Monday reiterated the United States' support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. Washington urged Russia to fulfill its obligations under the 2008 ceasefire agreement, including the withdrawal of forces to pre-conflict positions and free access for humanitarian assistance to Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
On Monday, the European Union made it clear that it would not recognize the presidential election in South Ossetia.
Russian troops ousted Georgian occupying forces from South Ossetia and Abkhazia during a brief but intense fighting in August 2008. Shortly, both the separatist provinces declared their independence from Georgia.
Very few countries, including Russia, have recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent States.
by RTT Staff Writer
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