President Saakashvili has replaced Chief of Joint Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces, Lieutenant-General Devi Chankotadze, by his first deputy Brigadier-General Giorgi Kalandadze, the president’s administration said on October 8.

Lt Gen Chankotadze served on the post since March, 2009.

Brig. Gen. Kalandadze, 32, was commander of the fourth infantry brigade in 2007-2009; he was promoted to the post of deputy commander of the land forces in 2009 and a year later became first deputy chief of joint staff and simultaneously served as acting commander of the land forces before 2011.