Georgia Prepares for Inauguration of New President

Georgian troops underwent last preparations for march in the central Rustaveli Avenue in downtown Tbilisi on January 23.

The Georgian troops are today preparing for a march, which is scheduled in Tbilisi on January 25 to mark the inauguration of Mikheil Saakashvili as a country’s new President.

Mikhail Saakashvili will be sworn in as president this weekend in the two-day long ceremonies on January 24-25. 
 
The military parade will be also held in Adjarian capital Batumi on January 25. Mikheil Saakashvili is expected to attend the ceremonies in Batumi as well.

The military parade has not been held in Georgia for last four years, due to the lack of finances.
 
Georgian law enforcers heightened security measures in the capital city as foreign delegations from 20 countries are expected to attend the inauguration ceremony on January 25. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell will be among the guests.
 
Mikheil Saakashvili will be blessed as a president by the Catholicos Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church Illia II at the Gelati Cathedral in western Georgian city of Kutaisi on January 24.