Georgia called for an international investigation into the events that led to its conflict with Russia and allegations of widespread human rights abuses.

"It is time to establish the truth about the crimes committed before and during Russia's invasion of Georgia," Georgia's foreign ministry said in a statement.

"The government of Georgia therefore urges the international community to establish an independent international commission to study and assess the events that preceded this military conflict; to investigate all claims of the violation of human rights as well as international humanitarian law."

Georgia and Russia have accused each other of starting the five-day conflict over the breakaway region of South Ossetia and have traded accusations of ethnic cleansing.

The statement accused "Russian troops and numerous militias operating with their blessing" of forcing tens of thousands from their homes "through arson, looting, rape and murder."

It also dismissed Russian allegations against Georgia as "groundless."

Russia sent tanks and troops into Georgian territory in response to a Georgian offensive on August 7 to retake South Ossetia.

Moscow withdrew the bulk of its forces from Georgia on Friday under a French-brokered ceasefire agreement, but thousands of Russian troops remain deployed in two rebel regions and in a "buffer zone" around them.

Russia's recognition this week of South Ossetia and another breakaway region, Abkhazia, as independent states drew condemnation from Georgia and many Western countries.