Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime...

The former Georgian republic on Saturday held its first elections since Moscow recognized its independence in August 2008 after a brief war with Georgia.

According to preliminary official results announced by the Abkhazian Central Election Commission, Sergei Bagapsh won 59.4% of the vote, with his former vice president, Raul Khadzimba, trailing with 15.4%.

"The confidence placed in you by the Abkhaz people shows their support of the course towards the creation of an independent, democratic, law-based state, towards the strengthening of its security and the revival of its economic potential," Medvedev said in a statement.

The president said Russia and Abkhazia have reached a new level in their relations and expressed hope that they would develop further.

Putin congratulated Bagapsh during a telephone conversation.

Bagapsh, 60, has been president of the former Georgian republic since January 2005. In his election campaign he pledged to focus on the

Pages: [1] 2