Georgia's new economy minister resigns-tv

TBILISI, Nov 17 (Reuters) Georgia's Economy Minister Irakly Okruashvili resigned today just a week after he was named to the post by President Mikhail Saakashvili, Georgian television reported.

Okruashvili, a hawkish defence minister, was switched to the economy portfolio in what was seen as a softening of policy by Saakashvili towards rebel separatists in South Ossetia.

''According to our information, Okruashvili resigned from the post of economic development minister,'' Rustavi-2 television reported. ''The information was circulated by his spokeswoman.'' REUTERS PDM HT1947