Georgia and its breakaway region South Ossetia have been exchanging detainees displaced during military conflicts earlier this month, Russian media reported Friday citing local officials.

South Ossetia handed over 56 people to Georgia and received eight Ossetians, said South Ossetian human rights official David Sanakoyev.

The self-proclaimed Caucasus republic has submitted a 27-people return list to Georgia, which attacked the pro-independence region on Aug. 7 to regain control but was defeated by Russian troops.

"We agreed that today another 14 people will be returned. We understand that this list is not full. We are working on it," he said.

South Ossetia is ready to hand over to Georgia around 100 people, Itar-Tass cited the official.

Relations between Russia and the West which supports Georgia have deteriorated due to the conflicts.

(Xinhua News Agency August 22, 2008)