Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili has denied seeking a green light from Washington for his country's assault on its breakaway region of South Ossetia.

Giving evidence to a parliamentary inquiry into the conflict, Mr Saakashvili also denied planning the attack months in advance.

He insisted Russia made the first move, pouring tanks and men over the border.

There was an outcry this week when Georgia's former ambassador to Moscow said Georgia started the war.