By Famil Ismailov BBC News Online

The threat of Russian military intervention against Chechen rebels in Georgia has been greeted with a mixture of anxiety and defiance in the capital, Tbilisi.

I only want one thing. Let the politicians get to an agreement.

Svetlana Vladimirovna, pensioner

"I can feel the tension - particularly when I discuss the news with my friends," says accountant Dato Kordzadze.

"I don't want any bombing to happen," he adds. "But Russia shouldn't behave towards Georgia as if we were one of its provinces."

And Georgian newspapers on Friday added to that mood with their reaction to Russia's plans to bomb Pankisi Gorge.

"The War Begins", runs the headline in the Khvalindeli Dray (Tomorrow) newspaper. Another, Resonansi, leads with Moscow's "Plans to Liquidate the Georgian President".

Many people believe that Georgia has done all that could be achieved in the Pankisi gorge. "Joint operation won't give any result, but could end up in another conflict in the Caucasus," says Mr Kordzadze.

Growing concern

Georgia already has two unresolved ethnic conflicts on its territory: with the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

The conflicts have brought much suffering and have held back the economy for years. One more war could bring about its complete collapse.

And that is what makes many Georgians anxious. Particularly those with relatives and business contacts in Russia.

The flights to Russia are packed, even after Moscow introduced visa regime with Georgia.

Georgia's neighbours are following the row between Tbilisi and Moscow with growing concern.

Armenia fears it could lose the only transit route to its vital partner, Russia.

Azerbaijan is finally going to start building the strategic oil pipeline to the Mediterranean port of Ceyhan, in Turkey. Part of the pipeline goes through Georgia, and the construction is due to start in a few days.

The livelihoods of many people in the region now depend on how Moscow and Tbilisi resolve their dispute.

"I am Russian but I was born and brought up in Georgia," says Svetlana Vladimirovna, a pensioner.

"My children consider themselves Georgians. Can you imagine how hard it is for me? I only want one thing. Let the politicians get to an agreement."