Lavrov: It is up to Georgia to settle conflict with its breakaway regions

MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) - Following a meeting between the presidents of
Russia and Georgia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday it is
not for Moscow or foreign powers to solve the conflict between Georgia and it's
breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

"The key to solutions is the direct negotiation of the parties," Lavrov
told journalists in a phone conference following the meeting.Parties must take immediate steps to resolve the issue he said. An
agreement should be signed disallowing the use of force in the area.

Currently Georgian troops line the Kodori Gorge, a mountainous region
separating the de-facto republic of Abkhazia and Georgia-governed territory.
Abkhazia views the military presence as a sign of aggression.

Levels of Russian peacekeepers in the disputed area have increased in
recent months. Lavrov puts those numbers at about 2,500 today, in accordance
with a 1994 Russia-Georgia agreement allowing up to 3,000.