Russia Signs Treaty With Rebel Georgian Region, West Concerned

Russia signed a treaty with Georgia's breakaway South Ossetia region on Wednesday which Tbilisi condemned as a move towards annexation and the West says could threaten regional stability and security. The framework "alliance and integration" treaty was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and South Ossetian leader Leonid Tibilov. Itoutlines plans to integrate Russia's security forces, military and customs services with South Ossetia's. Russia, which will also protect the tiny region's border under the treaty. That treaty recognized South Ossetia as an independent state after a five-day war with Georgia in 2008 but most countries say it is still part of Georgia.