Georgia's parliament on Thursday urged the government to cut diplomatic relations with Russia after Moscow's recognition of the independence of two Georgian breakaway regions.

Lawmakers voted unanimously to approve a resolution that declared Russian forces in and around South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which Russia has recognized as independent states, as "occupying forces" and called on the government to sever diplomatic ties with Moscow, Georgian news agency Caucasus Press reported.

The parliament resolution came a day after Georgia said it was cutting its diplomatic staff in its embassy in Moscow to a minimum in response to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's decision to recognize the two regions, which broke from central Georgian rule during wars in the early 1990s.

Georgia sent in troops to reclaim South Ossetia earlier this month, triggering a military counter-offensive by Russia. France brokered a ceasefire agreement between Georgia and Russia.

(Xinhua News Agency August 29, 2008)