SNAP ANALYSIS: Georgia alleges military coup, uprising at base

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Georgia's defense minister said on Tuesday a coup plot had been uncovered within the military and a rebellion was under way at the Mukhrovani military base, 19 km (12 miles) from the capital.

The following is a snap analysis of the issues involved:

* Georgian Defense Minister David Sikharulidze said the coup plot was aimed at disrupting month-long NATO military exercises that begin in Georgia tomorrow. The Defense ministry spokesman said plotters were receiving money from Russia.

It was unclear what exactly those who are rebelling want. Police kept reporters several kilometers away so it was impossible for Reuters reporters to verify exactly what was going on at the base.

* There has been no immediate official reaction from Russia to the Georgian accusations, but Moscow is sure to reject them.

Moscow has repeatedly said Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili might try to find ways to distract attention from opposition protests calling for his resignation and the coup plot comes at a very difficult time for Saakashvili.

Georgia's opposition said Monday it was preparing to block main roads leading to the capital Tbilisi, escalating a month-long campaign of street protests to oust Saakashvili.

Russia's Interfax news agency quoted the commander of the rebellious Mukhrovani tank battalion as saying that his soldiers would not intervene in politics and backed political dialogue between the authorities and opposition.

The opposition said three main highways would be blocked on Tuesday from 4-5 p.m. (1200-1300 GMT) as a warning to the president. They said they would block them indefinitely if Saakashvili did not resign by May 11.