U.S. Ambassador Richard Norland and his wife visited head of the Georgian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Ilia II, upon the latter’s invitation on Tuesday, the U.S. embassy said.

“The Patriarch and the Ambassador exchanged views on recent progress in Georgia's domestic affairs and on efforts by the Government and the Opposition to resolve ongoing political tensions,” the U.S. embassy said.

“The Patriarch encouraged international friends of Georgia to assist in helping Georgians find the right balance between the search for justice and the need to avoid vengeance,” it said.