Russia to set up embassies in Georgia rebel regions

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia will establish diplomatic links on Tuesday with the Georgian breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday, less than two weeks after recognizing their independence.

"There will be an exchange of notes on the establishment of diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level between Russia and the aforementioned states," the ministry said in a statement.

It said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet officials from Abkhazia and South Ossetia on Tuesday.

(Writing by James Kilner)