 This movement took control of the cities of Kars, Ardahan, and Batum in late 1918.In the Second Congress of Ardahan, held between 7 and 9 January 1919, Cihangirzade Ibrahim Bey was elected as the First President of the Provisional National Government of the Southwestern Caucasus.Cihangirzade worked for the recognition of the republic and the independence of its territory.