Russia, Georgian rebels to sign pact

MOSCOW, Sept. 13 (UPI) -- Russia says it may sign cooperation agreements as early as next week with Georgia's breakaway provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

The agreements would deepen Russia's recognition of the two regions as independent states, a status granted by Russia's Parliament last month, RIA Novosti reported Saturday.

Tension has been high in the region since Georgia tried to rein in South Ossetia militarily in early August and Russia's military then intervened to defeat Georgian troops.

Russia has pledged substantial economic aid and military support to the breakaway regions, which are to be visited Sunday by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, RIA Novosti reported.