administrative border provided he would be guaranteed security. Abashidze's position became untenable when local protesters took control of the central part of the city of Batumi and Georgian special forces entered the region and started to disarm pro-Abashizde militants. Later on the same day, Secretary of the Russian Security Council Igor Ivanov arrived in Batumi. Abashidze stepped down after overnight talks with Ivanov and left for Moscow. Saakashvili left for Adjara shortly after Aslan Abashidze's departure and met at dawn of May 6 with celebrating Adjarans in Batumi. "Aslan has fled, Adjara is free," President Saakashvili said on St George's Day and congratulated Georgians with what he described as "a second bloodless revolution" in Georgia. President Saakashvili also said that Abashidze's resignation "will pave the way for Georgia's prosperity" and that "it will be the beginning of Georgia's territorial integrity". On May 7, direct presidential rule was imposed in Adjara and a 20-member Interim Council was set up to run the Autonomous Republic before snap local elections would be held in the region. Levan Varshalomidze was appointed as the Chairman of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara. Regional parliamentary elections were held on June 20. Victorious Adjara, a party backed by President Saakashvili won 28 seats out of 30 in the local legislative body. The remaining two seats were occupied by Saakashvili's former allies, members of the Republican Party. There were allegations of vote-rigging from the Republicans, after they won less than 15 percent of the vote. On July 20, the Adjaran Supreme Council approved Levan Varshalomidze as the Chairman of the Autonomous Republic's Government. He would hold the position until 2012. See also History of Adjara References External links Crisis in Ajaria: The Military Dimension In pictures Ajaria's 'velvet revolution' Georgian territories: Ajaria Timeline – 2004 Adjara Crisis Adjara Crisis Georgia (country)–Russia relations History of Adjara Politics of Adjara Protests in Georgia (country) Rose Revolution Operations involving Georgian special forces