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Abkhaz officials, opposition hold talks after seizure of government compound

Protesters are demanding the resignation of President Aslan Bzhania

SUKHUM, November 15. /TASS/. Officials and members of the opposition in Abkhazia started talks after protesters seized a government compound, said Levan Mikaa, chairman of the Committee for the Defense of Abkhaz Sovereignty.

Protesters are demanding the resignation of President Aslan Bzhania, according to Mikaa.

"Negotiations are underway. We are waiting for the president's resignation," he said.

Parliament Speaker Lasha Ashuba earlier told TASS that the Abkhazian authorities would hold talks with members of the opposition that seized the government compound. One of the opposition members, former lawmaker Ilya Gunia, told TASS that protesters were waiting for Abkhazian President Aslan Bzhania to resign. A government official told TASS earlier that Bzhania is not inside the presidential administration building that was overrun by protesters.

Situation in Abkhazia

On November 15, the parliament of Abkhazia was to consider the ratification of an agreement with Russia on investments by Russian companies. The session was canceled because the legislators failed to approve its agenda. The opposition disagreed and demanded that the parliament be reconvened to remove the question from the agenda altogether.

Several hundred people gathered in front of the parliament for a rally. They then surrounded the entire government compound and seized it. Abkhazia’s Security Council said the situation is tense.

Earlier, Abkhaz President Aslan Bzhania condemned pressure on parliament members. He also called on the people not to succumb to provocations.

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