Saakashvili: No Urgent Need to Reshuffle Government

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said at a specially convened press conference on December 8 that there is no ?urgent need? for a cabinet reshuffle, adding that media reports over the cabinet changes were ?inappropriate.?

The Georgian media has speculated for the last few days about a governmental restructure that would result in the State Security Ministry merging with the Interior Ministry. It is anticipated that this latest change will be followed by a new round of shuffles within the cabinet as well.

?I do not see the necessity for an urgent cabinet reshuffle. Moreover, I cannot make any decision until Nino Burjanadze [Parliamentary Chairperson] and Zurab Zhvania [Prime Minister] return to Georgia,? President Saakashvili said.

Zurab Zhvania is paying a visit to the United States and is expected to return on December 9. Nino Burjanadze is currently visiting Germany.

President Saakashvili said that the government continues to work ?in a normal way.? However, he added that the authorities ?are always working on changes.?