Rising Tensions In Georgia Has U.N. Meeting In Second Emergency Session To Avoid War

August 8, 2008 3:23 p.m. EST

Tbilisi, Georgia (AHN) - Rising tensions in Georgia prompted United Nations officials to meet in emergency session to discuss the situation, while United States officials reviewed evacuation plans for American civil and military personnel.

According to reports, there are 2,000 Americans in Georgia and officials said they want to be ready if conditions deteriorate to the point it is necessary to evacuate them.

U.N. officials were meeting Friday afternoon in the second emergency session of the day on the situation in Georgia. Diplomats say they want to avoid war between Russia, Georgia and the breakaway Georgian province of South Ossetia.

This session was called by Georgia, an ally of the United States, while the first session was called by Russia, an ally of South Ossetia.

Russian tanks invaded Georgia earlier Friday morning and were reportedly rolling toward South Ossetia. Russia said it invaded in response to a military offensive launched by Georgia on South Ossetia, although those sides have disputed which side struck first.

The invasion created an outcry by Georgia's president who immediately called for a full mobilization of Georgian forces.

Georgia, and the breakaway South Ossetia were part of the former Soviet Union and Russia has issued passports to many South Ossetia residents.