Renowned Russian conductor Valery Gergiev, who is Ossetian, was to lead a requiem concert for the dead in the devastated central square there Thursday night, part of an effort to win international sympathy and support for Russia's argument that its invasion of Georgia was justified.

Russian officials, including Medvedev, have suggested Moscow may recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent. Western leaders have stressed that Georgia must retain its current borders.

Several thousand people rallied Thursday in the Abkhazian capital of Sukhumi to demand independence and there was a similar rally in Tskhinvali.

In a move sure to heighten tensions, a U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer loaded with humanitarian aid was heading to Georgia — the first of three U.S. Navy ships that will carry supplies such as blankets, hygiene kits and baby food to Georgia. The United States has also delivered aid to Tbilisi on 20 flights since Aug. 19.

The United Nations estimates 158,000 people in all fled their homes in the last two weeks.

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Correspondents Mike Eckel and Sergei Grits in Gori, Tskhinvali and Igoeti, Georgia; Yuras Karmanau in Beslan and Tskhinvali; Raul Gallego in Poti, Georgia; and Jim Heintz, David Nowak, Maria Danilova and Jill Lawless in Moscow contributed to this report.