South Ossetia held a referendum on Sunday intended to reaffirm independence from Georgia in a vote the West calls illegal but which Russia says should be respected, Reuters reported. Nestled on the Russian border in the foothills of the Caucasus mountains, South Ossetia broke away after a 1991-92 war that killed hundreds and forced tens of thousands to flee. But amid increased tensions within Georgia, whose pro-Western President Mikhail Saakashvili seeks to regain control over the region, voters went to the polls to re-affirm their independence drive and elect a regional leader. "I voted for independence and a brighter future," South Ossetia's incumbent president Eduard Kokoity, widely expected to be re-elected, said after casting his ballot. Election officials said more than half of the 55,000 eligible voters had turned out by 1100 GMT, validating the poll which ends at 1700 GMT. First results are expected on Monday.
