Over 50 thousand protesters demand Saakashvili resignation

April 9, 2009 - 21:15 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Tens of thousands of Georgian opposition supporters have taken to the streets of the capital, Tbilisi, pressing for the resignation of President Mikheil Saakashvili.



Former close allies of the president addressed a large rally near Georgia's parliament Thursday as protesters rallied in the capital and in other cities.



The protesters said they are giving Mr. Saakashvili 24 hours to respond to their demands before announcing further action.



Georgia's former U.N. ambassador, Irakli Alasania, called the rally a demonstration of unity in demanding change through peaceful means.



Former parliament speaker Nino Burdjanadze apologized to the crowd for supporting the president after police used rubber bullets to break up a 2007 opposition rally.



Opposition leaders accuse Mr. Saakashvili of being authoritarian and of leading the country into a disastrous war with Russia last year, VOA News reports.
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