Russia's Medvedev congratulates Ankvab on Abkhazian election win

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has congratulated Alexander Ankvab on winning Abkhazian presidential election, the Kremlin said on Saturday. "Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has congratulated Abkhazian president-elect Alexander Ankvab on his convincing victory in the presidential election in a telephone conversation," the Kremlin said. Medvedev wished Ankvab successful work and expressed confidence in Abkhazia's progressive development. Moreover, Medvedev and Ankvab advocated further strengthening of cooperation between Russia and Abkhazia, the Kremlin said. Batal Tabagua, the head of Abkhazia's Central Election Committee, earlier said that acting Abkhazian president Alexander Ankvab had won the presidential elections receiving 54.86% of votes. According to Tabagua, Prime Minister Sergei Shamba got the second place with 21.04% of votes, while opposition leader Raul Khadzhimba became third with 19.83% of votes. Voter turnout amounted to 71.92%.