26 March: Early results of repeat presidential election in the self-declared republic of South Ossetia shows Leonid TIbilov, former chief of the state security committee, has a strong lead but falls short of the majority needed to win outright in the firs

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.