Former Georgian president creates new political party in Ukraine

Georgia's former President Mikhail Saakashvili, who has recently resigned as governor of Ukraine's southern Odessa region, on Friday announced the establishment of a new political party under his leadership in Ukraine.

"We are creating a new political force, which will be a platform for new faces. Our goal is to replace the current so-called political elite," Saakashvili told reporters during a media briefing.

The new political force will be an alliance of reform-minded political newcomers, young politicians and small business owners, Saakashvili said, adding that the party will seek early parliamentary elections in Ukraine.

Saakashvili, 48, who served as Georgian president from 2008 to 2013, was appointed as Odessa's regional governor last year.

Earlier this week, he resigned as the regional head citing alleged corruption in Ukraine's government bodies.