(Corrects third paragraph reference to OSCE to say the two agreed on the urgency of setting up an international mechanism under the auspices of the OSCE to replace Russian patrols in a security zone south of South Ossetia, instead of saying that they agreed on the importance of having OSCE troops to replace Russian soldiers in South Ossetia)

A corrected repetition follows:

PARIS, Aug 23 (Reuters) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy discussed the situation in Georgia with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev on Saturday and called on Russian troops to leave Georgia's Black Sea Poti port, Sarkozy's office said.

It said in a statement that the two leaders held a telephone conversation and would remain in close contact over the coming days.

It also said the French leader and Medvedev agreed on the urgency of setting up an international mechanism under the auspices of the Organisation of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to replace Russian patrols in a security zone south of South Ossetia.

"Concerning the nearby region of Abkhazia, President Sarkozy insisted it was important that Russian troops present at the Poti/Senaki area should withdraw as soon as possible," his statement said. (For a factbox on the peace plan, please see [ID:nLC609940] For a list of stories on the conflict, click [nL8613553] For today's main story, click on [nLN90058] )

(Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta)

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