Georgia takes authority in Ajaria

AJARIA, Georgia, May 8 (UPI) -- President Mikhail Saakashvili of Georgia has disbanded Ajaria's parliament and imposed direct presidential rule in the province.

The move follows Thursday's resignation of Ajaria's rebel leader, Aslan Abashidze, the BBC reported Saturday.

Saakashvili also abolished the post of Ajarian leader and set up a provisional council to administer the province until June's elections.

The president said he would not seek Abashidze, who fled to Russia.

Washington welcomed "the peaceful restoration of Tbilisi's authority" and called it a "historic day" for Georgia.