November 26, 2007 - 13:39 AMT
Russia didn't provoke disorders in Tbilisi, Saakashvili says
Russia wasn't the main source of disorders in Tbilisi, Mikheil Saakashvili said upon handing in his resignation. The disorders were provoked by some individuals including entrepreneur Badri Patarkatsishvili, who openly called for overthrow of the authorities.

Mikheil Saakashvili stressed Georgia has never been so independent from Russia as today. "In mid-October Russian military left Georgia. Besides, the country declined import of Russian gas and energy. In summer, Georgia itself exported energy to Russia. Despite Russia's embargo on Georgian wine, a million of young vines were planted this year," he said, RBK reports.

November 25 President Mikheil Saakashvili resigned his commission to Parliament Speaker Nino Burjanadze. Immediately after dispersal of the opposition rally in Tbilisi, Saakashvili scheduled early presidential elections for January 5, 2008. According to the Constitution, he handed in his resignation 45 days before the elections and presently prepares for the coming race.