BATUMI. Aug 25 (Interfax-AVN) - Georgia's new chief of staff is a man who was educated in the United States, Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania told reporters on Wednesday.
The new appointee is Vakhtang Kapanadze, the current deputy chief of staff. He is the candidate to replace incumbent chief of staff Givi Iukuridze.
"The new army leaders will make up a single team each member of which has received military education in the U.S.," said Zhvania.
He noted that "the Georgian President and top leadership were displeased with the pace of work by the General Staff."
According to Giorgi Khaindrava, state minister for separatist conflicts, Iukuridze has resigned because of developments in the Tskhinvali region where 16 people are reported dead.