The flag at the entrance to the territory of the Russian battalion of the Joint Peacekeeping Forces in South Ossetia. Archive photoTSKHINVAL, April 20South Ossetia is interested in strengthening the Russian military presence in the republic, Alan Gagloev, a presidential candidate and leader of the Nykhas party, said in an interview with RIA Novosti on the eve of the second round of presidential elections in the republic.
"Yes, we are. Since the military presence of the Russian Federation on the territory of South Ossetia is the key to our survival as a people, as a state,» he said.
The second round of elections in South Ossetia will be held on April 28. According to the results of the first, Gagloev overtook the incumbent President Anatoly Bibilov by 3.5 percent.
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