Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili has accepted Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli's resignation and named Lado Gurgenidze, chairman of the Bank of Georgia's supervisory board, as a candidate for the post.

"Lado Gurgenidze will soon propose the new Cabinet that will be approved in keeping with all due procedures," Saakashvili said at a briefing at the state chancellery.

Lado Gurgenidze, chairman of the Bank of Georgia's supervisory board, is named as new Prime Minister Friday. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

The appointment still has to be approved by the parliament, but the ruling party has the majority of votes at the legislature, and the approval is the most probable.

Georgia will antedate its presidential elections from autumn to Jan. 5 next year, President Mikhail Saakashvili said in a televised address to the nation on Nov. 8.

Georgia's President Mikhail Saakashvili (L) speaks as Lado Gurgenidze (R) is named the new prime minister during a news briefing in Tbilisi Nov. 16, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

(Xinhua News Agency November 17, 2007)