Georgian forces, rebels break S.Ossetia ceasefire

MEGVREKISI, Georgia (Reuters) - Georgian forces and separatists in breakaway South Ossetia broke a ceasefire just hours after the two sides agreed to talks scheduled for Friday.

"Separatists opened fire at the two Georgian villages of Prisi and Tamarasheni, and we had to return fire," the secretary of the Georgian National Security Council Kakha Lomaia told Reuters.

A Reuters reporter could hear and see the renewed fighting.

Days of heavy fighting have raised fears of new war in the volatile Caucasus.