Saakashvili's current second term of office expires in 2013 AP Tbilisi, September 3 (Interfax) - Mikheil Saakashvili, whose current second term of office as Georgian president expires in 2013, on Friday argued that Georgia needs a president with extensive powers.

"Georgia is a country that faces serious challenges, and it needs a powerful president," Saakashvili said at a meeting with the parliamentary majority in comments on a draft for a new Georgian constitution.

"I disagree with the recommendations of the Europeans for limiting presidential powers," he said.

Saakashvili said that under the planned constitution the president would be elected for a term of five years, it would be possible to replace the government more often than this, and there would be a powerful parliament controlling the government.

"If we want to keep power for longer we must be in the best form possible and join forces with the people in governing the country," he said.