Abkhazia parliament approves call to Russia for recognition

SUKHUMI, August 20 (RIA Novosti) - Abkhazia's parliament has approved an appeal by the president of the separatist republic for Russia to recognize its independence from Georgia.

The proclamation was backed by all 26 MPs attending the extraordinary session.

The MPs also adopted an appeal to the parliaments and governments of other countries.

The recognition request was prepared shortly after Georgia launched an offensive on South Ossetia, another secessionist republic in Georgia, on August 8.