'Gossip Girl' Star Kelly Rutherford -- Awarded Temporary Custody of Her Kids

Kelly Rutherford has finally won a battle in her 3 year war to get her kids back from her ex-husband, and on U.S. soil -- at least in a California court, but it remains to be seen if Monaco will honor the deal.

On Friday, a California judge granted her custody of 8-year-old son Hermes and 6-year-old daughter Helena. The children have been living in France and Monaco with their father Daniel Giersch since 2012.

The California ruling only says Kelly has the right to bring the children back to the U.S. while the custody battle continues. The problem is, it's unclear whether Monaco courts will honor the California ruling.

Earlier this month, Kelly came on TMZ Live and told us Giersch had "habitual residents" status for the children ... meaning they could not be removed from Monaco.