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Georgia set to end emergency rule Georgia set to end emergency rule
(about 1 hour later)
Georgia will lift a state of emergency on Friday, nine days after it was imposed amid opposition protests, the country's speaker has said.Georgia will lift a state of emergency on Friday, nine days after it was imposed amid opposition protests, the country's speaker has said.
"Georgian life will return to normal on 16 November," Nino Burjanadze said."Georgian life will return to normal on 16 November," Nino Burjanadze said.
President Mikhail Saakashvili initially announced a two week emergency on the sixth day of protests in Tbilisi. President Mikhail Saakashvili initially announced a two-week emergency on the sixth day of protests in Tbilisi.
He said a week ago he would hold early polls, meeting a key opposition demand as international criticism grew of a police crackdown on protesters.He said a week ago he would hold early polls, meeting a key opposition demand as international criticism grew of a police crackdown on protesters.
Following a meeting with Georgian officials on Tuesday, US Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza said he had been assured the state of emergency would soon be lifted.Following a meeting with Georgian officials on Tuesday, US Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza said he had been assured the state of emergency would soon be lifted.
Opposition united
The pro-Western Mr Saakashvili has accused Russia of stoking the street protests - a charge both Moscow and the opposition in Georgia have denied.The pro-Western Mr Saakashvili has accused Russia of stoking the street protests - a charge both Moscow and the opposition in Georgia have denied.
He said the announcement of emergency rule was needed to prevent a "coup" against his government.He said the announcement of emergency rule was needed to prevent a "coup" against his government.
Opposition supporters had called on Mr Saakashvili to resign and hold early elections, accusing him of corruption and authoritarianism.Opposition supporters had called on Mr Saakashvili to resign and hold early elections, accusing him of corruption and authoritarianism.
The country will now go to the polls early, on 5 January.The country will now go to the polls early, on 5 January.
Mr Saakashvili, who remains popular with many Georgians, is hoping to be re-elected.
The country's opposition parties this week announced they would field a single candidate to challenge the president - Levan Gachechiladze, an MP who led last week's rallies against Mr Saakashvili.