Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili's Head of Administration, Ekaterina Sharashidze, held a news conference on 9 November in regard to the state of emergency in effect throughout the country. She told journalists that after the Georgian government took appropriate measures, stability has been restored in Tbilisi and life has returned to its normal rhythm. She noted that this had been achieved within two days of the declaration of the state of emergency on 7 November.

At the briefing, Ms. Sharashidze drew special attention to remarks made by President Saakashvili in his address to the nation on 8 November. "As the Georgian President said, we can expect that the state of emergency will be lifted much earlier than the 15-day timeframe approved by parliament," she said, adding: "Traffic movement on Rustaveli Avenue was fully restored this morning. Police special purpose units, as well as all other units have been returned to the places they are normally stationed."

The President's Head of Administration noted that representatives of all political parties have unlimited ability to address the public and express their ideas through the print media and through public television and radio.

Press Office
of the President of Georgia