9 Aug 2008

China urges ceasefire, invokes Olympics

4:34 pm on 9 August 2008

A state media outlet in China has urged a ceasefire between Russia and Georgia on Saturday, invoking the "sacred" opening of the Beijing Olympics.

The official Xinhua news agency called for both sides to stop fighting over the breakaway region of South Ossetia.

Invoking the Olympic spirit, a commentary issued by the agency called for a ceasefire. Xinhua said:

"With the opening of the Beijing Olympic Games, the world has entered an Olympic period....During these special days, the outbreak of armed clashes in South Ossetia is something the world's people do not wish to see."

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also issued an appeal calling on all warring nations to honour a truce during the Games.