Thomas O. Melia, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State. (Interpressnews.)

TBILISI, DFWatch — The U.S. is closely monitoring the transition of power from President Saakashvili’s National Movement to Prime Minister Ivanishvili’s Georgian Dream coalition.

Also subject to scrutiny is how well the two political blocs are working together, what is called cohabitation, Thomas O. Melia, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State said on Wednesday during a briefing at the US Embassy here.

Melia , whose full title is U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, is on an official visit together with Catherine Newcombe, Regional Director for Eurasia in the U.S. Department of Justice.

During their stay here, Melia and Newcombe met with former and current government officials, media and civil society representatives.

The DASS said the visit is a continuation of a visit that took place about three weeks before the election.

“Tolerance of diversity is important in a democratic society. There were certain incidents, tension and violence regarding religious or other minorities. We consider the Prime Minister’s statement was positive regarding the necessity of tolerance towards minorities,” he said.

“We hope all the politicians will consider this, as the opinions of the minorities are also important. We, President Barack Obama’s administration and the Department of State perceive human rights as an inclusive process, where sexual and religious minorities’ opinions will be taken into consideration. We hope there will be inclusive democracy in Georgia.”

After visiting Georgia, the guests will leave for Azerbaijan and Armenia on Thursday.