SUKHUM, November 15. /TASS/. Abkhazia’s political opposition representatives have asked Speaker of Parliament Lash Shuba to convey to the President of the Republic Aslan Bzhania their demand that he resigns, with the latter allegedly asking for some time to think over how to respond to the ultimatum.

"A delegation of deputies headed by the Speaker of the parliament was sent to Aslan Bzhania with a proposal that he resign voluntarily. However, he asked for some time to consider it," Ashsou Kakaliya, the intermediary between the authorities and the opposition said on the Republic’s Telegram channel.

The opposition and non-governmental organizations in Abkhazia earlier set up a coordination council to facilitate talks with the authorities, according to a statement by opposition representatives on the Telegram channel.

"The united opposition and non-governmental organizations have created a coordination council in order to overcome the political crisis," according to the statement.

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 was against this and demanded that the parliament reconvene to remove the issue 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.