Irakly Okruashvili stepped down as Georgia's economic development minister in November 2006, only seven days after being appointed to the role in a cabinet reorganization. He had previously served as defense minister before being shifted to head the economic portfolio.
His departure appeared to be voluntary. Rustavi-2 television reported that Okruashvili had voiced dissatisfaction with the new posting to colleagues throughout his brief tenure, saying his commitment remained with the Georgian armed forces.
Okruashvili had been known as a hardliner on recovering Georgia's breakaway territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. His assertive stance was widely seen as the reason President Mikheil Saakashvili moved him out of the defense ministry, replacing him with David Kezerashvili amid rising tensions with Moscow following a spy scandal and Georgia's NATO discussions. Saakashvili had cited the need for firm leadership on economic matters as his rationale for the reassignment.
Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli called the resignation unexpected, saying neither he nor the president had anticipated the move. Saakashvili had previously indicated Okruashvili would remain defense minister until Georgia's territorial integrity was secured.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in November 2006, in its own words.