The State Duma or lower house of the Russian parliament has approved an appeal to President Dmitry Medvedev to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the two breakaway regions of neighboring Georgia.

The repeated appeals for recognition made by the breakaway regions "have legal ground and are morally justifiable," lawmakers said Monday, adding that recognition would help ensure security and protect the peoples of the two regions "from threats from third countries."

Boris Gryzlov, speaker of the State Duma, said he expected a reaction to the appeal from President Medvedev "within the shortest period of time."

Earlier in the day, the Federation Council, or upper house of parliament, voted unanimously in favor of a similar appeal.

South Ossetian leader Eduard Kokoity and his Abkhazian counterpart Sergei Bagapsh attended an extraordinary meeting of the Federation Council on Monday to call for the recognition of independence of their respective regions.

Abkhazia and South Ossetia broke from central Georgian rule during wars in the 1990s after the collapse of the former Soviet Union. But their self-proclaimed independence is not recognized internationally.

Earlier this month, Medvedev expresses doubts whether Abkhazia and South Ossetia could remain with Georgia after the recent clashes.

He said Russia will respect any decision on the two breakaway regions' status that reflects their wishes and will guarantee its enforcement.

(Xinhua News Agency August 26, 2008)