Georgian MPs approve controversial new prime minister

Georgia's parliament on Sunday confirmed an ex-interior minister accused of cracking down on protesters as the country's new prime minister, fuelling political tensions in the ex-Soviet nation.

Lawmakers voted 98-0 to confirm Giorgi Gakharia as premier in a vote boycotted by the opposition.

Gakharia, 44, is deeply hated by Georgia's opposition for overseeing a security operation against anti-Russia protests in June.

Riot police used tear gas and rubber bullets against the demonstrations and dozens of protesters were hurt, including several people who lost eyes.

Opposition supporters have dubbed Gakharia "Moscow's man" in Tbilisi and accused him of taking orders from Russia, which supports two breakaway regions of Georgia and fought a war with the country in 2008.

He rejected those claims in a speech before his approval, saying Georgia remained on its path towards closer ties with the European Union and NATO.

"The most important component of our security is the country's pro-Western orientation, and European and Euro-Atlantic integration," Gakharia said.

"The United States is our main strategic partner and there are no limits in our cooperation."
"Ivanishvili's oligarchic rule is incompatible with democracy, and all of Georgia's democratic and pro-Western parties will be uniting forces to defeat him in the parliamentary elections next year."