Georgian PM Garibashvili resigning

TBILISI. Jan 29 (Interfax) - Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has said he is leaving his post.

Garibashvili spoke about his resignation at a Monday briefing in Tbilisi.

The decision was made at a meeting of the Georgian Dream party's political council, and it will be officially announced at the congress on February 1, Garibashvili said.

"We made this decision in collaboration with our team. I am proud of the successes achieved in collaboration with the team. One of the most important components of our political team is internal democracy based on the principle of rotation, and therefore it is necessary to give others an opportunity to express themselves," Garibashvili said.

A parliamentary election will be held in Georgia in fall, Garibashvili said. He said he had received from the Georgian Dream political council an offer to become the party's chairman due to this political situation.

"It is very important that the new prime minister should form a new government, which I wish success, in a timely manner," Garibashvili said.

Georgian media earlier reported that Irakli Kobakhidze, incumbent chairman of the ruling party, will become prime minister.