Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili announced Thursday that he has decided to assume the functions of prime minister following the death of former Premier Zurab Zhvania, the Interfax News Agency reported.  

"I ordered the government to return to its duties and all civil employees and military servicemen to do their job and perform their duties as usual," Saakashvili said.

The president thinks it's important to maintain order and discipline in the country.

Zhvania was killed apparently by natural gas poisoning in a friend's apartment in Tbilisi early morning on Thursday.

Experts have not found any signs of violence on the body of Zhvania and believed his death was caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, according to Russia's reports.

The Investigating Department of the Prosecutor General's Office is investigating the case.

Zhvania's funeral will be held on February 6, Georgian Minister for Conflict Settlement Georgy Khaindrava said on the radio station Ekho Moskvy on Thursday.

(Xinhua News Agency February 4, 2005)