Georgia Wants Proof Of Russian Military Halt

`We will need more evidence, everyone in this situation needs a signed binding agreement,` Gurgenidze said.

Georgia needs more evidence of a Russian halt to military operations and will remain "prepared for everything" until Moscow signs a peace deal, Georgian Prime Minister Lado Gurgenidze said on Tuesday.

"We will need more evidence, everyone in this situation needs a signed binding agreement," Gurgenidze told Reuters by telephone from an extraordinary meeting of parliament.

"Until that happens we are mobilised, we are prepared for everything," he said. "I do appreciate it (Medvedev's gesture) but there has been more damage to infrastructure and civilian casualties today."

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said early on Tuesday that he had ordered an end to military operations in Georgia.

Gurgenidze said the Kremlin's decision was the result of intense international pressure on Medvedev.

"Finally the international community began to speak with one voice and is beginning to get the message through that this behaviour is unacceptable," he said, responding to a question about the timing of Medvedev's statement.

Gurgenidze said the plan drafted by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and signed by Georgian President Saakashvili could be the start of a lasting peace if Russia signed it.

"President Saakashvili has signed the four-point Kouchner plan, which is being discussed in Moscow right now. Signing that would be a start," Gurgenidze said.

"The international community must succeed in bringing a durable and proper end to this," he said.