Tblisi/Moscow - A high-ranking local politician was killed Saturday in an explosion in Georgia along with another resident of a community just outside the breakaway region of Abkazia, local media reported.

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili dubbed it a "terrorist act" and called together his security council in the capital Tblisi.

Abkazian leaders denied involvement in the attack.

Tensions have remained high since August following a five-day war between Georgia and Russia over the breakaway regions of Abkazia and South Ossetia, which have since unilaterally declared independence from Georgia and been recognized by Russia. (dpa)