NATO is holding an emergency meeting today to discuss the recent outbreak of hostilities between Russia and Georgia.

US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice is expected to use the talks to push for a reduction in NATO-Russia co-operation unless Moscow withdraws its forces from Georgia.

However, European nations will be wary of further damaging relations with Russia, which supplies much of the continent's oil and gas.

Meanwhile, Russian troops are understood to be continuing to occupy a number of Georgian towns today despite pledging to begin a withdrawal yesterday.

Russia seized control of the towns a week ago after repelling a Georgian attack on the breakaway province of South Ossetia.

The conflict comes amid major tensions between the two countries over the desire of Georgia's US-backed president to secure NATO membership for his country.