In a statement, Georgia's Prime Minister, Giorgi Kvirikashvili said: "What has happened this evening in Tbilisi is not only sabotage against the state, but also a provocation plotted by Georgia's enemies to instigate instability ahead of the elections."

"The responsibility for peace rests on the leaders of both countries, and we would reiterate their importance in finding a negotiated peace", said the Director of the State Department press office at a briefing.

Defence spending remains stable but defence expenditure will still amount to more than twice that spent on healthcare

As Georgia prepares to go to the polls on Saturday, 8 October, questions have again arisen about the reliability of opinion polls, and the possible manipulation of opinion and exit polls by different political forces.

Justifying the appointment of a civilian to the defence ministry the president said the defence minister had to take responsibility for what he termed "military diplomacy", and was also responsible for large defence procurement.

Opinion: The campaign, ahead of next Saturday's parliamentary elections in Georgia has been calm and largely peaceful. Unfortunately, over the weekend several isolated incidents occured involving supporters of different political parties. They resulted in several people being hospitalised

Commonspace.eu correspondent in Armenia Vahagn Antonian reports on the outcome of the elections from the city of Vanadzor

Vigen Sargsian has been appointed as the new Defence Minister of Armenia. Eduard Nalbandian has been re-appointed as Foreign Minister, completing the government reshuffle following the appointment of a new prime minister

Municipal elections in Armenia are staggered over a period of weeks. In this latest round of voting no incidents were reported. Voter apathy however remained a factor. Results are expected to be announced later today.

Read about the visit, the events around it and many impressions and comments on our blog.