Prime Minister Zurab Noghaideli is resigning, government officials have confirmed.

The circumstances of the shakeup are unclear, but Bank of Georgia president Lado Gurgenidze is reportedly tapped to take the post.

Word of the resignation came just hours before a state of emergency and media blackout, imposed after riot police used force to breakup an anti-government rally on November 7, is due to be lifted.

A televised government session, chaired by President Mikheil Saakashvili, is expected at 19:00 Tbilisi time as emergency rule ceases.