(BRUSSELS) - The French EU presidency on Friday condemned the bomb attack in the breakaway Georgian region of South Ossetia, which left seven Russian soldiers dead, as well as the earlier killings of Georgian police officers.

The EU presidency, in a statement, said it "condemns the acts of violence which have taken place in recent days in Georgia, whether it be the murder of Georgian police officers or the bombing this afternoon in (the South Ossetian capital) Tskhinvali which left several Russian victims."

The EU presidency, held by France till the end of the year, expressed the hope that "light will be shed on these acts. All efforts must be made to preserve peace and security in the region".

Seven Russian soldiers were killed earlier Friday in an apparent car bomb attack near the Russian force headquarters in volatile South Ossetia, according to Russian and local officials.

Seven other Russian servicemen were injured in the attack which happened after security forces seized a suspect automobile that turned out to be packed with explosives which blew up near their main base.

The leader of the rebel province, Eduard Kokoity, immediately blamed the attack on Georgia, an accusation Tbilisi promptly rejected.

The Russian defence ministry said the blast was designed to undermine an EU-brokered peace accord between Georgia and Russia which brought an end to hostilities in Georgia in August.

The EU presidency's mention of murdered Georgian police officers was an apparent reference to deadly sniper attacks last month on two police officers from separatist positions in Georgia's other separatist region of Abkhazia.

The EU presidency expressed its condolences to the families of "the victims and to the Georgian and Russian authorities" for all the attacks.

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