Top U.S. official backs Georgia's embattled leader

And the United States would not tell Saakashvili how to govern, Bryza said.

"We are not a big brother, we are a big friend," he said.

The opposition has called Saakashvili corrupt and guilty of mismanaging the economy. They also say he is using the emergency laws to give himself an unfair advantage in a January 5 presidential election he called on Thursday.

Bryza will spend his four-day trip to Georgia meeting opposition leaders and media, as well as members of the government and Saakahsvili.

(Editing by Matthew Jones)