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Georgia declares emergency state Georgia declares emergency state
(about 2 hours later)
Georgia's President Mikhail Saakashvili has declared a state of emergency in the capital Tbilisi after police broke up a sixth day of opposition protests. Georgia's President Mikhail Saakashvili has declared a 15-day, nationwide state of emergency after police broke up a sixth day of opposition protests.
In a televised address, Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli said a coup attempt had been made.In a televised address, Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli said a coup attempt had been made.
Mr Saakashvili earlier said "Russian special services" were behind the unrest in Georgia.Mr Saakashvili earlier said "Russian special services" were behind the unrest in Georgia.
Mr Saakashvili has rejected the protesters' accusations of corruption and says he will not quit.Mr Saakashvili has rejected the protesters' accusations of corruption and says he will not quit.
The prime minister said the state of emergency would last for 48 hours. The prime minister initially announced a state of emergency in the capital Tbilisi for 48 hours, but that was later extended to the whole country for 15 days.
The emergency measures include a ban on street protests and independent television stations, the Georgian Economics Minister Georgy Arveladze said in a statement.
Earlier in the day, police had used water cannon, tear gas and batons to break up opposition protests outside parliament.Earlier in the day, police had used water cannon, tear gas and batons to break up opposition protests outside parliament.
Officials said 250 people had been admitted to hospital, most to be treated for the effects of tear gas. Officials said 500 people had sought medical treatment, most to be treated for the effects of tear gas.
The White House said it was "concerned" by the unrest in Georgia, the AFP news agency reported.
"We are concerned about the reports from Georgia. We urge that any protests be peaceful and that both sides refrain from violence," US national security council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.
Diplomatic expulsionsDiplomatic expulsions
Speaking before he declared a state of emergency, Mr Saakashvili said his country faced "a very serious threat of unrest".Speaking before he declared a state of emergency, Mr Saakashvili said his country faced "a very serious threat of unrest".
HAVE YOUR SAY Mikhail Saakashvili did the right thing by declaring a 48 hour emergency it was necessary Shah, Georgia Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Mikhail Saakashvili did the right thing by declaring a 48 hour emergency it was necessary Shah, Georgia Send us your comments
"High ranking officials in Russian special services are behind this," he said, adding that he had evidence."High ranking officials in Russian special services are behind this," he said, adding that he had evidence.
He said several Russian diplomats would be expelled from Georgia for engaging in "espionage".He said several Russian diplomats would be expelled from Georgia for engaging in "espionage".
Earlier he had recalled Georgia's ambassador to Moscow for "consultations".Earlier he had recalled Georgia's ambassador to Moscow for "consultations".
Moscow has called his allegations irresponsible and said any expulsion of Russian diplomats would be followed by an "adequate response".Moscow has called his allegations irresponsible and said any expulsion of Russian diplomats would be followed by an "adequate response".
The foreign ministry said the remarks were "anti-Russian hysteria".The foreign ministry said the remarks were "anti-Russian hysteria".
Mr Saakashvili has rejected the allegations of corruptionMr Saakashvili has rejected the allegations of corruption
Police used tear gas and water cannon after several thousand protesters tried to occupy Rustaveli Avenue - Tbilisi's main thoroughfare.Police used tear gas and water cannon after several thousand protesters tried to occupy Rustaveli Avenue - Tbilisi's main thoroughfare.
The protesters say the police response demonstrates Mr Saakashvili's authoritarian tendencies but police said they had to unblock the capital's main road.The protesters say the police response demonstrates Mr Saakashvili's authoritarian tendencies but police said they had to unblock the capital's main road.
The main opposition television station has gone off air. Just before, a presenter said police special forces had entered the building.The main opposition television station has gone off air. Just before, a presenter said police special forces had entered the building.
Opposition supporters have been gathering outside parliament every day since Friday, when 50,000 people attended the largest street protest seen since the 2003 "Rose Revolution" that brought pro-Western Mr Saakashvili to power.Opposition supporters have been gathering outside parliament every day since Friday, when 50,000 people attended the largest street protest seen since the 2003 "Rose Revolution" that brought pro-Western Mr Saakashvili to power.
The protesters accuse him of corruption and of not doing enough to tackle poverty.The protesters accuse him of corruption and of not doing enough to tackle poverty.
They are calling for the president's resignation and a fresh election.They are calling for the president's resignation and a fresh election.
Many of the protesters back the president's former ally, Irakli Okruashvili, who was arrested last month shortly after he said Mr Saakashvili had plotted to kill a top businessman.Many of the protesters back the president's former ally, Irakli Okruashvili, who was arrested last month shortly after he said Mr Saakashvili had plotted to kill a top businessman.
He was later released on a multimillion-dollar bail and went to Germany. The government says Mr Okruashvili's accusations are "false and baseless".He was later released on a multimillion-dollar bail and went to Germany. The government says Mr Okruashvili's accusations are "false and baseless".