Mr Lavrov said Georgian troops have failed to withdraw to their barracks and remained in areas near the breakaway provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in violation of a cease-fire that ended Russia's war with Georgian in August.

He criticised the EU monitors for failing to take note of Georgian troop movements and warned that the Georgian actions could lead to new clashes.

Georgia's Interior Ministry spokesman, Shota Utiashvili, dismissed Mr Lavrov's claims, saying that Georgia has no military forces in the area. He said Georgian police deployed in the area are free to move wherever is necessary.

A spokesman for the EU monitoring mission said that Georgia has been in compliance with the truce. The spokesman said that the Georgian presence in the area is necessary for maintaining law and order.