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Abkhazian opposition urges citizens to gather for rally near parliament building

"We responsibly state that all the bodies providing for the republic’s everyday operations continue working in normal mode," it said

SUKHUM, November 16. /TASS/. The Coordination Council uniting the Abkhazian opposition and public organizations has urged citizens of the South Caucasus republic to gather for a rally near the parliament’s building to demand the resignation of Abkhazia’s President Aslan Bzhania, the Council’s press office reported on Saturday.

"The Coordination Council urges citizens of Abkhazia to arrive at the parliament’s building by 2:00 p.m. Moscow time [11:00 a.m. GMT]. Aslan Bzhania is making desperate attempts to keep a semblance of power, clinging to formalities but his rule is over. Our task is to secure Bzhania’s resignation and stabilize the political situation in the country," the press office said in a statement posted on the Respublika Telegram channel.

"We responsibly state that all the bodies providing for the republic’s everyday operations continue working in normal mode," it said.

The Abkhazian opposition set up the Coordination Council for settling the political crisis on November 15.

On November 15, the Abkhazian parliament was expected to consider the ratification of an agreement with Russia on investments by Russian companies in Abkhazia. 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 issue from the agenda altogether.

Several hundred people gathered in front of the parliament for a rally on November 15. They surrounded the entire government compound and seized it. Abkhazia’s Security Council said the situation was tense. Bzhania condemned pressure on parliament members.

Protesters seized control of key government buildings in the country’s capital on Friday. In an address to his supporters, Bzhania refused to resign. He said government members and himself were staying in the country and would continue to discharge their duties. Bzhania asked his supporters not to give in to provocations and pledged that efforts would be made to eliminate the consequences of the events unfolding in Abkhazia. The opposition issued an ultimatum to Bzhania, giving him one hour to resign.

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