Tens of thousands of Georgians are protesting outside parliament in the capital, Tbilisi, urging President Mikhail Saakashvili to step down.
Tens of thousands of Georgians are protesting outside parliament in the capital, Tbilisi, urging President Mikhail Saakashvili to step down.
The crowd also called for early parliamentary elections.
The crowd also called for early parliamentary elections.
They accuse Mr Saakashvili of heading a corrupt, authoritarian government and want him to be ousted democratically.
They accuse Mr Saakashvili of heading a corrupt, authoritarian government and want him to be ousted democratically.
The government rejects the claims. It is Georgia's worst political crisis since the 2003 Rose Revolution that swept Mr Saakashvili to power.
The government rejects the claims. It is Georgia's worst political crisis since the 2003 Rose Revolution that swept Mr Saakashvili to power.
Elections are not due until late 2008.
Elections are not due until late 2008.
Many protesters arrived in convoys from the provinces.
Many protesters arrived in convoys from the provinces.
Omar Pirtskhelava, a 17-year-old tourism student, was at the demonstration. He told the BBC News website that thousands of people had streamed in from various regions of Georgia, chanting the slogans "We Are One Georgia", "Go Saakashvili" and "Viva Georgia".
The country's previously weak and divided opposition parties formed a united front last month, and began a nationwide protest campaign against the Georgian leader.
The country's previously weak and divided opposition parties formed a united front last month, and began a nationwide protest campaign against the Georgian leader.
The BBC's Matthew Collin in Tbilisi says they are also hoping to capitalise on discontent with the widespread poverty in Georgia.
The BBC's Matthew Collin in Tbilisi says they are also hoping to capitalise on discontent with the widespread poverty in Georgia.
The country is still struggling to recover from years of post-Soviet economic decay, instability and civil war.
The country is still struggling to recover from years of post-Soviet economic decay, instability and civil war.
Call for concessions
Call for concessions
"This government didn't keep any of the promises they made... People demand basic things - people are hungry," one protester told the BBC.
"This government didn't keep any of the promises they made... People demand basic things - people are hungry," one protester told the BBC.
Mr Saakashvili says he has rescued Georgia's economyKakha Kukava, a Conservative Party lawmaker, denied the opposition was trying to stir up more social unrest.
Mr Saakashvili says he has rescued Georgia's economyKakha Kukava, a Conservative Party lawmaker, denied the opposition was trying to stir up more social unrest.
"We are not calling people for a revolution, we are calling people for a protest," he said.
"We are not calling people for a revolution, we are calling people for a protest," he said.
"We are demanding fair elections and we think that it's very important for Georgia just now to make the first precedent to replace the government on the basis of elections, not on the basis of revolution."
"We are demanding fair elections and we think that it's very important for Georgia just now to make the first precedent to replace the government on the basis of elections, not on the basis of revolution."
Many of President Saakashvili's policies remain popular.
Many of President Saakashvili's policies remain popular.
The president said on Thursday that Georgia was a failed state before he came to power but had now become a model of democratic development and economic reform.
The president said on Thursday that Georgia was a failed state before he came to power but had now become a model of democratic development and economic reform.
He has already suggested minor changes to the electoral process to ensure more opposition representation in parliament.
He has already suggested minor changes to the electoral process to ensure more opposition representation in parliament.
But the opposition parties want even more dramatic concessions.
But the opposition parties want even more dramatic concessions.
They have vowed to maintain their protests, around the clock, until they win.
They have vowed to maintain their protests, around the clock, until they win.
Are you in Tbilisi? Have you been affected by this demonstration? Please send your comments by using the form below.
Are you in Tbilisi? Have you been affected by this demonstration? Please send your comments by using the form below.
