Shevardnadze Congratulated Ilham Aliyev

Georgian President Shevardnadze congratulated today Ilham Aliyev taking over Azerbaijani?s presidential post.

The Azerbaijani election official announced today that Ilham Aliyev has won the October 15 elections and takes over as head of state from his father, Haydar Aliyev.

Officials say Ilham Aliyev’s main rival, Isa Gambar of the opposition Musavat Party, obtained 12.6% of the vote. Before the results were announced, he alleged widespread intimidation of voters. The opposition is holding a protest rally in Baku.

The transfer of power to Ilham Aliyev from his father, who is being treated for kidney and heart problems in a U.S. hospital, marks the first dynastic succession in the former Soviet Union.

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