Georgia election scheduled for January

TBILISI, Georgia, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- Georgia's parliament has decided elections to replace ousted Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze will be held Jan. 4, the BBC reported.

Shevardnadze stood down Sunday after weeks of protests against failed parliamentary elections ended in the storming of parliament.

Those election results were annulled by the Supreme Court earlier Tuesday.

Opposition leader Mikhail Saakashvili is seen as the most likely successor to Shevardnadze.

Acting President Nino Burjanadze told parliament: "Today we are starting a new era. We should stand side by side independent of nationality, independent of political interests."

Judges who annulled the parliamentary election said the decision by the court in the former Soviet republic was final "and cannot be contested."

International observers said the elections were marred by "spectacular" irregularities.

Also Tuesday, Georgian State Minister Avtandil Jorbenadze announced his resignation, following the departure of Interior Minister Koba Narchemashvili Monday.

Both men were key ministers in Shevardnadze's administration.