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Backers of S. Ossetia self-proclaimed president to rally in Tskhinvali

RIA Novosti

12:24 01/12/2011 TSKHINVALI, December 1 (RIA Novosti) - South Ossetia's former Education Minister Alla Dzhioyeva who claims to have won the November 27 runoff presidential elections said her supporters will on Thursday stage a rally in Tskhinvali.

“I do not know exactly where we will hold it but there definitely will be a rally,” Dzhioyeva said.

Late on Wednesday, Dzhioyeva called on her supporters rallying in Tskhinvali's main square to go home. "Constructive talks have begun. Let’s go home, sleep and discuss the situation tomorrow,” Dzhioyeva told a crowd of between 700 and 1,000 people who gathered outside the republic’s government headquarters to support their leader.

Soldiers had earlier fired warning shots in the air.

The former Georgian republic of South Ossetia’s Supreme Court on Tuesday declared null and void the outcome of the November 27 runoff presidential elections because of violations. However Dzhioyeva declared herself president of the breakaway republic in defiance of a court ruling and was later barred from running in a second election slated for March 25.

On Wednesday, Dzhioyeva urged outgoing President Eduard Kokoity to cancel the Supreme Court’s decision. She pledged to stop mass protests and ensure security for Kokoity in exchange.

Kokoity said he will “make no concessions and will not yield to pressure.” He also said that Dzhioyeva's attempt to declare herself president and create a government council was illegal and violated South Ossetia's laws.

Dzhioyeva then filed an appeal against the Supreme Court’s ruling.

She also met with Russian diplomats in Tskhinvali and urged Russia to recognize the results of the elections. The Russian Foreign Ministry in response recognized the annulment of the polls, calling on all South Ossetian political forces to respect the Supreme Court’s decision. The ministry also said that Russia would not interfere into South Ossetia’s domestic affairs.