London  - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown delivered a sharp warning to Russia on Monday to end its military operations in the breakaway Georgian province of South Ossetia.

There was "no justification" for Russia's military offensive, Brown said in a statement released in London.

It is the "clear responsibility" of Moscow to agree to a ceasefire and to end the conflict immediately.

Brown said the situation "threatens the stability of the entire region and risks a humanitarian catastrophe."

"Continued aggression against Georgia - and especially an escalation of the conflict beyond South Ossetia - will only serve to damage Russia's international reputation and its relations with countries across the globe," the prime minister said. (dpa)