Rice says Russia-Georgia moving toward ceasefire

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Tuesday urged Russia and Georgia to end hostilities, saying progress apparently had been made toward a ceasefire but it was important that all parties stop fighting.

"I believe that they believe that they have made some progress and we welcome that and we certainly welcome the EU mediation," Rice told reporters at the White House after briefing President George W. Bush on French-led European Union efforts to mediate with Russia.

"It is very important now that all parties cease fire," Rice said. "The Georgians have agreed to a ceasefire. The Russians need to stop their military operations as they have apparently said that they will. But those military operations really do now need to stop."

Rice said the United States supported Georgia's elected government.

"I want to make very clear that the United States stands for the territorial integrity of Georgia, for the sovereignty of Georgia, that we support its democratically elected government and its people," she said.

(Reporting by David Alexander; Editing by Kristin Roberts)