Several Georgian news agencies quoted "trustworthy sources in the parliament" as saying on Wednesday that President Mikhail Saakashvili would resign on Monday to pave way for the scheduled presidential elections in January next year.

 

This is the last day when he should step down under law for the pre-term presidential election to be held on Jan. 5 as was announced, the Itar-Tass news agency reported.

 

There have been no official comments so far.

 

Under Georgian laws, an election has to be held not later than 45 days and not earlier than 40 days after the early resignation of the president. Therefore, for the declared elections to take place on Jan. 5, 2008, the incumbent president has to resign between Nov. 21 and Nov. 25.

 

Earlier, Saakashvili antedated the presidential elections from autumn to Jan. 5.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 22, 2007)