Levan Nikoleishvili, the first deputy defense minister, has resigned, the Defense Ministry has confirmed.

The reason for his decision was not given. The Georgian daily, Rezonansi, however, suggested on August 24, that his “declining authority and influence” may have prompted the decision.

Rezonansi also alluded to financial irregularities in the armed forces uncovered by the state audit agency. Nikoleishvili was chief-of-staff of the armed forces from February 2005 to November 2006.