Georgia's new leaders took charge of the country today with speculation mounting over the intentions of former leader Mr Eduard Shevardnadze, who was toppled yesterday in what is already being called Georgia's "velvet revolution".
Interim president Ms Nino Burdzhanadze asserted her temporary authority by calling on the finance minister to quit, blaming him for the country's perilous economic state.
She also blasted Mr Avtandil Dzhorbenadze for the discredited election earlier this month which led to Mr Shevardnadze's downfall.
"The State Minister is responsible for this economic crisis into which the country has been led and also for holding the November 2 parliamentary elections," she told state television.
A meeting of the outgoing parliament on Tuesday to set a new date for a presidential election that must be held by early January.
A senior economic adviser close to Ms Burdzhanadze said Georgia would ask the United States, which has backed the new leadership, for $5 million to hold new elections.
Ms Burdzhanadze also summoned military, police and state security officials in a move curb any continuance of the volatility which yesterday brought about an end to the former Soviet Union foreign minister's 11-year reign.
"Order must be restored immediately not only in Tbilisi but also in all the
regions of the country," she said in her nationally televised speech. She later declared an end to the two-day state of emergency.
Main opposition leader Mr Mikhail Saakashvili, who led the protests which forced Mr Shevardnadze to resign, is being tipped as probable successor.
Developments are being watched by Russia to the north, and by Western states seeking stability to safeguard a pipeline being built to take Caspian oil to the Mediterranean Sea.
Meanwhile, there is confusion surrounding Mr Shevardnadze's intentions after it was reported that he was in Germany. The Germans had offered 75-year-old former president refuge but in an interview yet to be broadcast, Mr Shevardnadze said he wished to remain in Georgia.
"Although I love Germany very much, my homeland is Georgia and I owe it to
her to stay here," he said.
However, German media recently reported that people close to Mr Shevardnadze had bought a secluded villa for his use in Baden-Baden.
Agencies