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Conflict in Abkhazia

Abkhazian opposition leader to decide on running for president after consultations

Presidential elections are appointed on August 24

Raul Khadzhimba ITAR-TASS

Raul Khadzhimba

SUKHUM, June 01, /ITAR-TASS/. Abkhazian opposition leader Raul Khadzhimba says he will decide whether to run for president in the snap presidential elections appointed by the parliament on August 24 after consultations with his supporters.

“This is a matter [nomination as presidential candidate] which is not decided by one’s own,” Khadzhimba told journalists on Sunday. “It will depend on my team, on people who are willing to speak with me. So far I am silent."

Incumbent Abkhazia president not plan meeting parliament

President of the South Caucasian Republic of Abkhazia Alexander Ankvab did not plan a meeting with Parliament Speaker Valery Bganba whom the People’s Assembly, the republican parliament, named as interim president of the country on Saturday, head of the Abkhazian presidential information department Kristian Bzhania told Itar-Tass.

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Abkhazia parliament sets early presidential election for August 24

On Saturday, Bganba told reporters that he intended to go to “Ankvab to a Russian military base in Gudauta” for talks. Meanwhile, he noted that he had already held a telephone conversation with Ankvab earlier on Saturday before a parliamentary meeting at which Bganba was appointed as interim president and it was decided to hold early presidential elections on August 24, 2014. Ankvab said late on Saturday evening that the parliament’s decision to appoint Bganba as acting president violates rudely the republican Constitution.
Bzhania denied reports that Ankvab had resigned.

For his part, Abkhazian opposition leader, lawmaker Raul Khadzhimba stated that it was unclear whether Ankvab and Bganba would have a meeting on Sunday on which different parties to current political conflict in the republic had allegedly agreed on Saturday.

“This meeting did not take place yet,” Khadzhimba said, noting that “Yesterday the interim president and Ankvab were really discussing it. However, this will depend from Ankvab whether it will take place or not.”

Khadzhimba added that contacts between opposition representatives and presidential supporters from Amtsakhara party continued.

“We have a little country and it is difficult for us not to talk to each other,” he noted.

Abkhazia’s law enforcers ready to work with parliament-appointed acting president

Abkhazia’s law enforcers are ready to work with parliament speaker Valery Bganba, who was appointed acting President of Abkhazia by the parliament on Saturday, leader of the opposition and parliament member Raul Khadzhimba said on Sunday.
“Yesterday, Valery Bganba met with representatives from law enforcement agencies and with Prime Minister Leonid Lakerbaya. The meeting clarified may disputable issues,” he said. “It means that law enforcers are ready to work with the new leader of the country. I have no doubt they will.”

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US veto for Palestinian membership proves Washington’s anti-Palestinian stance — Hamas

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Yury Popov said that aircraft of the so-called international anti-terrorism coalition, led by the United States, continue to set dangerous precedents in skies above Syria

Nuclear sites in Iran’s Isfahan province are safe — Tasnim agency

Tasnim refuted foreign media reports about an incident at a nuclear site in Isfahan

Ukrainian military reportedly uses HIMARS rocket launcher to attack Gorlovka

Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Denis Pushilin also said that an explosive device had detonated in the Kievsky District of Donetsk, injuring a man born in 1964

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"The Israeli forces carry out strikes at humanitarian forces, block their access, slow down the cargo clearance," Vasily Nebenzya said

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"Without noticing it themselves, they spoke the language of an ultimatum," Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova underlined

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Maria Zakharova also pointed to the fact that Ukraine's special services do not give up attempts to "massacre their former compatriots"

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