Diplomat: Belarus to recognize Abkhazia, South Ossetia soon

Source: Xinhua | 08-29-2008 16:30

MOSCOW, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Belarus would recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the two breakaway regions of Georgia, in the next day or two, Belarusian Ambassador to Russia Vasily Dolgolev said Thursday.

"We are allies and this says it all," Dolgolev told journalists when asked whether Belarus would recognize the independence of the two regions.

President Aleksandr Lukashenko will make a relevant statement on Thursday or Friday, the ambassador added.

"Belarus favors peaceful means. We cannot support the aggression unleashed by Georgia. I think what Russia did was right," he was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying.

Lukashenko on Thursday sent a message to his Russian counterpart, saying his country remained a reliable ally of Russia.