Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said Tuesday he had urged Western leaders to accelerate the inclusion of Georgia in NATO and the European Union.

"Georgia has asked world leaders for the country''s speedy integration into NATO and the European Union," he said in a televised national address.

He said Georgia had received "the first serious signals" that it could count on assistance in strengthening its military capability.

Georgia''s bid to join NATO was rebuffed at the alliance''s April summit in Bucharest. However, NATO ministers decided in August to create a joint NATO-Georgia commission similar to that already in place with Ukraine, and reaffirmed their plans to eventually accept Georgia as a NATO member.

"We will continue our struggle to develop and unite Georgia," Saakashvili said. "Our country will not be alone in this drive and we will have the support of all progressive international community."

He denounced Russia''s decision to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as "illegal."

However, Russian officials have said Georgia lost its right to the two regions after launching a military offensive on August 8 that killed hundreds of people and forced thousands to flee devastated South Ossetia.