If it joins Russia, S. Ossetia could become one region with N. Ossetia - S. Ossetian president

MOSCOW. March 31 (Interfax) - In the event of South Ossetia's unification with Russia, it could become one constituent territory with North Ossetia, South Ossetian President Anatoly Bibilov said.

"There are certain legal steps that we will have to take. When we are already within the Russian Federation, there are procedures related to the unification of constituent territories," Bibilov said in an interview with the Rossiya-24 (VGTRK) television channel.

"South Ossetia may join the Russian Federation as a constituent of Russia. I think that the unification of Ossetia is necessary," Bibilov said.

"Many people say who will be the head, the president [of this unified constituent of Russia], where the government will be based. But these are technical issues that can be solved, and these solutions may be absolutely right as regards the location of these or those bodies of power," he said, adding that "Ossetia, beyond any doubt, must be one region."

When asked what legal steps South Ossetia will have to take to join Russia, Bibilov said, "This decision is vital to the people of the republic. All other decisions are contained in the constitution. Of course, a plebiscite will have to take place. We must ask for the people's opinion."