Lawyer sweeps to power in Georgia

United States-educated lawyer Mikhail Saakashvili claimed a crushing win in yesterday's Georgian presidential vote, vowing to return his ravaged country to peace and prosperity.

He said once in power he would push for closer integration with Europe and the US, and try to eradicate corruption.

"This is your victory. I have not won the election.

"You my people, you have won the election," the 36-year-old told cheering supporters after an independent exit poll showed he had won 85.8 per cent of the vote.