"No support should be given to breakaway elements seeking to weaken the territorial integrity of Georgia," he said in a clear reference to Russia's support for separatist movements in the country, without naming Moscow.

The opposition seized power in Tbilisi November 23 in a bloodless revolution. Since then Russia tried to increase its grip on the former Soviet republic by hosting top representatives from Georgia's separatist regions South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Adjaria, who have refused to deal with the new leaders.

"The international community should do everything possible to support Georgia's territorial integrity throughout and beyond the elections," Powell told delegates at a ministerial meeting of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Maastricht.

Powell also lashed out against Russia for not fullfilling its international commitments to fully withdraw its troops from Georgia and Moldova, another former Soviet republic struggling dealing with a breakaway province, Transdniestr.

In a final swipe at Moscow he said that "Russia must ensure respect for human rights even as it combats terrorism and upholds its territorial integrity" in the rebel province of Chechnya.