Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania has died, apparently killed by an accidental gas leak. He was 41.
Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili said Mr. Zhvania was found dead early Thursday at a house in Tbilisi belonging to a friend of the prime minister. He said it was clearly a case of accidental gas poisoning, and Mr. Zhvania's body has been taken to the coroner's office.
President Mikhail Saakashvili called an emergency meeting of the national security council to discuss the matter. He has named Vice-Premier Giorgi Baramidze as acting prime minister.
Mr. Zhvania was born on December 9th, 1963 in Tbilisi. A former member of parliament, President Saakashvili appointed him prime minister in January 2004.
Mr. Zhvania is survived by his wife and three children.