Miliband deplores Russian strikes on Georgia

LONDON (Reuters) - Foreign Secretary David Miliband condemned Russian military strikes against Georgia on Monday, saying recent bombings had taken fighting well beyond South Ossetia.

Miliband said he had spoken with "international colleagues" early on Monday and there was "widespread concern about the escalating violence in Georgia".

"British representatives on the ground and the media have reported that Russia has extended the fighting today well beyond South Ossetia, attacking the Georgian port of Poti, and the town of Gori, while Abkhaz forces have been shelling Georgian positions in the Upper Kodori valley. I deplore this," Miliband said in a statement.

He urged Russiato accept the offer of a ceasefire by the Georgian government, which he described as "very welcome".

(Reporting by Kate Kelland. editing by Tim Castle)