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Conflict in Abkhazia

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Russian Security Council official, Abkhazia president discuss political crisis in republic

The Abkhazian opposition still controls the building of presidential administration

SUKHUM, May 29 /ITAR-TASS/. Russia's Deputy Security Council Secretary Rashid Nurgaliyev and Abkhazian leader Alexander Ankvab met on Wednesday evening to discuss the political crisis in the republic.

On Wednesday night, Nurgaliyev met with Abkhazian Security Council members, deputy head of the presidential press office Madina Bganba told Itar-Tass.

The Abkhazian opposition still controls the building of presidential administration.

Last Tuesday, the opposition gathered thousands of people in central Sukhum demanding the resignation of the government, the prosecutor general and heads of the republic's eastern districts.

After unsuccessful talks with the president, opposition leader Raul Khadizmba announced that the Coordinating Council of the opposition parties and organizations would act as a caretaker government.

The Abkhazian president accused the opposition of government overthrow attempt. He noted that there was still a chance to steer the situation into the legal framework.

Other reports said Russian president's aide Vladislav Surkov met with Ankvab on Wednesday over the republic's political crisis. Surkov also met with opposition leaders Raul Khadzhimba, Sergei Shamba, Akhra Bzhaniya and Vitaly Gabniya, as well as with people's deputies. The meeting in the parliament's building was held behind closed doors.

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