Georgia, Tbilisi / corr Trend N.Kirtzkhalia / The Georgian Patriarch released a statement on 7 November, calling on the government authorities and opposition groups not to contribute to the development of the conflict.
"We call on both sides to avoid armed actions, in order to save the country from the next civil war," said the Catholic Patriarch of Georgia, Ilia II, in his appeal. He called on all parties to remember that the people of Georgia are behind the opposing sides.