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Salome Zurabishvili has won Georgia's presidential election, becoming the first woman to hold the office.

With nearly all votes counted, the French-born ex-diplomat had 59% of the vote with rival Grigol Vashadze on 40%, BBC reported.

Ms Zurabishvili was backed by the ruling Georgian Dream party while Mr Vashadze was a united opposition candidate.

A new constitution is due to come into force, making the role of president largely ceremonial.
Ms Zurabishvili has said she favours balancing Georgia's relations with Russia and the West. Mr Vashadze - who was foreign minister during the 2008 conflict between Georgia and Russia - was seen as more pro-Western.

The runoff vote was the last time a president will be directly elected in Georgia, which is switching to parliamentary governance following constitutional reforms adopted last year, despite opposition protests.