MOSCOW/TSKHINVALI. Aug 11 (Interfax-AVN) - The Mixed Peacekeeping Forces intervened early on Wednesday morning to stop a shootout in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone, a spokesman for the forces' headquarters told Interfax-Military News Agency Wednesday.
"Three peacekeeping battalions were placed on alert and prepared to take action in connection with shooting near the villages of Tamarasheni, Vanati and Prisi," the spokesman said.
He said the peacekeeping command intervened after the Georgian and South Ossetian sides refused to stop shooting at each other, adding that illegal armed formations had been participating. Not only small arms, but also mortars were being used in the fighting, he said.
"The command had to get in touch with the sides by telephone several times last night. But the peacekeepers' demand to stop the shooting was not met," the spokesman said.
He said the shooting had stopped as a result of the peacekeepers' joint efforts by 8:30 a.m. (0430 GMT).