UN puts security zone idea

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon recommended yesterday that security zones be established for 12km on both sides of the ceasefire line between Georgia and the breakaway region of Abkhazia where military forces and equipment would be banned.

Beyond the security zones, Ban called for "restricted zones" to be established for an additional 12km on each side where heavy military equipment including tanks, missile systems, artillery and mortars of more than 80mm would also be banned.

The only exception would be up to 10 armoured personnel carriers.