Georgian press sees tension easing

Troops and police have enforced a state of emergency in Tbilisi

Many Georgian newspapers see tensions in the country reducing after President Saakashvili called a snap presidential vote.

But some writers warn that the standoff between the government and opposition is still a reality, with one commentator describing the situation as one of "undeclared war".

In Russia, the media are caustic about claims that Moscow was behind the unrest and pour criticism on the Georgian authorities, referring to the government as a "junta".

Georgian press

ARCHIL GEGESHIDZE IN 24 SAATI

The early election is a compromise the opposition will probably find acceptable. The achievement of many objectives, including NATO integration, is now doubtful. Georgia has little chance of improving the situation but the president's decision makes this chance stronger.

DAVIT DARCHIASHVILI IN 24 SAATI

The election should be a significant step towards defusing the situation... But the country is in a state of undeclared war... It is difficult to hold an election during a war, but we must if we aspire to democracy.

COMMENTARY IN REZONANSI

Opposition leaders will consider this a victory. Georgia is still in a state of emergency... but there are signs people are slowly overcoming the shock.

RAMAZ SAQVARELIDZE IN REZONANSI

The decision to call an election is unique in the sense that he backed off. However, he has launched an offensive against the opposition. But what matters is that the president turned the physical confrontation into an electoral one.

ELISO CHAPIDZE IN REZONANSI

I am ashamed to live in a Georgia where the government deals with its people with batons, gas and water cannons... I am ashamed that our public chose such shameless people to rule their country (8 November).

LEVAN RAMISHVILI IN REZONANSI

It is the government's duty to sensibly rule a state in peril and in which a conspiracy controlled by Russian intelligence is revealing itself like a cancer... It is a matter of the Georgian state's existence (8 November).

Russian media

ANATOLIY MAKSIMOV IN IZVESTIYA

Yesterday Georgians woke up in a new country. A people used to freedom of speech, to a multitude of TV channels of different political affiliation, have seemingly been thrown back to the Brezhnev-era Soviet Union... But they can't shut people up.

YEVGENIY SHESTAKOV ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA

Hearing Mr Saakashvili's statements about democracy and the supremacy of American values, the West has failed to realize it is dealing with a Latin-American-style leader from the mid-20th century, who is prepared to do anything in order to stay in power.

MIKHAIL YUDIN IN IZVESTIYA

Mr Saakashvili is at a dead-end. The state of emergency won't solve a single problem... Sooner or later, tens of thousands of people, or maybe hundreds of thousands, will take to the streets... Mr Saakashvili's regime has doomed itself.

HEADLINE IN IZVESTIYA

Georgia Junta eliminates dissidents

PRESENTER ON CHANNEL ONE TV

Analysts believe the snap election is not a concession by Mr Saakashvili, but, an attempt to outplay his rivals.

IYA BERSENADZE ON ROSSIYA TV

Mr Saakashvili has put an end to the confrontation between the government and the opposition. The opposition has reacted positively on the whole... The situation in Georgia at the moment is stable.

CORRESPONDENT ON NTV

The opposition has secured almost all that it was demanding.

PRESENTER ON CENTRE TV

Mr Saakashvili seems alone in believing there's a foreign threat. Even his main allies, the Americans, say they cannot see any external influences... The state of emergency remains in force... Any rallies could lead to fresh clashes with the police.

MIKHAIL YUDIN IN IZVESTIYA

What should Russia do in this situation? The main thing is not to succumb to provocation, not to sink to Mr Saakashvili's level, not to start arguing with him, not to adopt his hysterical tone.

YEVGENIY SHESTAKOV IN ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA

Attempts to link the Georgian opposition to 'pro-Moscow forces' looks so absurd that they can only evoke a forgiving smile.

BBC Monitoring selects and translates news from radio, television, press, news agencies and the internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages. It is based in Caversham, UK, and has several bureaux abroad.