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Russia recognises South Ossetia and Abkhazia
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-08-27 12:14

Local residents crack open a bottle of champagne to celebrate while holding South Ossetian (L) and Russian (R) flags in the main South Ossetian city of Tskhinvali August 25, 2008. Russia Tuesday formally recognized the South Ossetia and Abkhazia as two independent states, which is set to challenge the United States and its NATO allies who have been the staunch supporter of Georgia. [Agencies]