Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili said on Thursday he was offering its breakaway region South Ossetia a ceasefire following days of conflicts.

"I beg you (South Ossetians) to cease fire immediately. We have no wish to wage war against you. Don't try the patience of our country. Let's stop this escalation and start talks -- direct, multilateral, any kind of talks," Saakashvili was quoted by the RIA Novosti news agency as saying.

"Let's give peace and dialogue a chance," he said in a televised address, adding that Georgian forces have been ordered not to return fire.

Armed clashes between Georgia and South Ossetia have continued throughout the week.

(Xinhua News Agency August 8, 2008)