Abkhazia bids to break away from Georgia

SUKHUMI, Georgia, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Georgia's breakaway province of Abkhazia urged Russia Thursday to recognize its independence, the republic's president says.

Abkhazian President Sergei Bagapsh said he expected South Ossetia, another secessionist republic in Georgia whose efforts at independence from Georgia triggered an attack by Russia to quell matters Aug. 8, to send a similar request in a few days, Novosti reported.

In Sukhumi, Abkhazia's capital, more than 47,000 people gathered on the central square to show support for the appeal.

"It has become clear that Abkhazia will not live in the same state with Georgia," Nugzar Ashuba, the parliament speaker told the rally.

Russia was asked to recognize Abkhazia "as a sovereign and independent state and sign a treaty of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance," the Novosti report said.