HANOI, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam welcomes Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's announcement of a ceasefire in South Ossetia, the Foreign Ministry said Thursday.

    "Vietnam feels regret about a recent armed conflict in South Ossetia, which has caused heavy losses in property and life of civilians and peacekeeping soldiers of Russia," Le Dung, a spokesman of the ministry, told a regular press briefing.

    Vietnam supports the international community's efforts in seeking a peaceful solution and preventing similar conflicts in the region, he said.

    Georgia began a military action against South Ossetia's forces last week in an attempt to re-establish control over the breakaway region. In response, Russian troops moved into the region to fight Georgian forces.

    On Tuesday, Medvedev announced an end to military operations in South Ossetia after meeting his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy.