Georgia's Saakashvili 'Ready To Quit' If Russia Withdraws Troops

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili

Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili says he is ready to resign if Russia withdraws its troops from two breakaway regions of Georgia.

Saakashvili also accused Russia of trying to replace the government in Tbilisi with one that would "legitimize" what he called the "occupation" of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Both regions have declared independence from Georgia and were an issue of conflict between Tbilisi and Moscow that led to their brief 2008 war.

But their independence is only recognized by Russia and a handful of other countries.

Both regions depend heavily upon Moscow for economic and military support.

Based on reporting by AP and civil.ge