The U.S. Embassy to Georgia said on Thursday that it appreciates the restraint shown by the authorities and the opposition in responding to the events surrounding the Melia case.

"It is imperative that all those involved commit to de-escalating the current tensions so that a way forward can be agreed upon. The United States remains willing to help facilitate constructive dialogue in support of maintaining peace, stability, and the democratic process in Georgia. Georgia is facing extremely serious challenges. It is in the best interests of the people of Georgia that this political crisis be resolved quickly and peacefully. The United States stands ready to assist Georgia in finding a solution to the current crisis and to return focus to creating jobs, reducing poverty, and rebuilding the economy," The U.S. Embassy said in a statement.

On Ferbuary 18 Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia resigned citing disagreement with his party colleagues over the detention of Nika Melia, leader of the UNM. This follows the Tbilisi City Court’s decision to send United National Movement’s Nika Melia, Chairperson of the largest opposition party, to pretrial detention.

“Unfortunately, I could not reach a common understanding on this matter with my team and decided to resign. I want to hope, that this step would contribute to reduced polarisation in our political space, since I believe that polarization and confrontation pose the greatest risks to our country’s future and economic development,” Gakharia stated.

Gakharia’s statement said that while Melia had “never respected the law” and called “for the storming of the Parliament” on June 20, 2019, the decision to detain him poses unacceptable risks, and unduly complicates the task of economic recovery and the management of pandemic.

Later, Irakli Garibashvili has been named as Georgia's next Prime Minister.