The former Soviet republic of Georgia has undergone a political upheaval, with opposition forces taking over the country\'s parliament and forcing the resignation of President Eduard Shevardnadze. Nino Burjanadze, 39, the woman who has become the acting president of Georgia, has replaced the man who was once her mentor. The mother of two, who comes from a well-connected and wealthy family in Georgia, was initially closely associated with the ousted president, Eduard Shevardnadze. Her father heads the former Soviet republic\'s bread and flour monopoly and financed Mr Shevardnadze\'s last presidential campaign. But her gradual disillusionment with the former president culminated on Saturday when she took over his role for an interim period before new parliamentary elections are held. Mr Shevardnadze fled parliament, leaving Ms Burjanadze to take to the podium. She urged the angry demonstrators to calm down and behave civilly. Following Mr Shevardnadze\'s resignation she explained that, under the constitution, presidential duties passed to her until elections are held within 45 days. After taking power, the acting president praised the people of Georgia for bringing about a peaceful, \"velvet revolution\". She told the BBC: \"The people were fighting for freedom, for democracy in the country for their votes. “They tried to defend their votes and I am really very happy that this revolution ended without blood.\" Ms Burjanadze, who is married to Georgia\'s deputy prosecutor general, promised free and fair elections. She was also quick to outline the country\'s long-term foreign policy aims. \"We really want to be a member of Atlantic alliance and European Union as soon as possible,\" she said. And although they may have had their political differences, the interim leader showed she was not going to totally desert her former ally by supporting his desire to continue living in Georgia. \"He has the right to choose where to live. He will have full security guarantees, he and his family,\" she said. (BBC)