In a surprise move, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili Friday dismissed his government at the same time as the pre-announced lifting of the state of emergency went ahead, according to DPA. Zurab Nogaideli was being replaced as prime minister by finance expert Lado Gurgenidze of the state bank, media reports quoted Saakashvili as saying. The state of emergency was imposed by decree by Saakashvili on November 7 in the face of ongoing anti-government demonstrations by tens of thousands of protesters in central Tbilisi. The initial decree was to have expired on November 9, but it was then extended by parliament until November 22 before being curtailed. Under the emergency laws, press and other civil freedoms were severely curtailed. Amid the protests, Saakashvili also announced snap presidential elections for January 5.
