Stronghold Falls in Another Blow to Gamsakhurdia

Government forces seized one of the last strongholds of ousted President Zviad Gamsakhurdia on Tuesday after a day of fighting in which at least six people were killed.

Government troops under the command of Jaba Ioseliani, head of one of the two main forces making up the ruling Military Council, met little resistance as they moved into the Black Sea town of Poti.

Armored vehicles rumbled along the tree-lined streets as residents, mainly supporters of Gamsakhurdia, remained indoors.

“I’m very tired. It was a hard battle,” said an exhausted Ioseliani, resting at his temporary headquarters in the town’s yacht club.

The head of the town’s hospital and local officials said six people were killed and at least 20 injured in fighting Monday around a bridge north of the town.

Gamsakhurdia, elected by a landslide last May, fled to Armenia three weeks ago after losing a bloody power struggle with the Military Council. He later returned to west Georgia, but his whereabouts have been unknown for the last week.

The fall of Poti was another major blow to his bid to regain power.