The war in South Ossetia was the result of a serious escalation of tension and a worsening of the security situation, says the draft resolution of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly. It also recognises that the shelling of Tskhinval by Georgian forces led to full-scale military action

On Thursday PACE wraps up its three-day debate on the recent conflict in the Caucasus on Thursday. The discussion follows a trip by the assembly's special mission to Russia, Georgia and Tskhinval last week.

According to the draft resolution, the use of military hardware and cluster weapons, creating a serious danger for civilians, was 'a disproportionate use of military force' by Georgia and, as such, is a violation of international law.

However, the document deems Russia's action in protecting its citizens living outside …