Georgian police have used tear gas and water cannon to dispel opposition demonstrators staging a sixth day of protests in the capital, Tbilisi.
Georgian police have used tear gas and water cannon to dispel opposition demonstrators staging a sixth day of protests in the capital, Tbilisi.
Several people were injured during the clash on the city's main street in front of parliament.
The health minister said 250 people had been admitted to hospital, most to be treated for the effects of tear gas.
The protesters had been regrouping after an earlier police action forced them off the street.
The protesters had been regrouping after police forced them off the city's main street in front of parliament.
President Mikhail Saakashvili has rejected the protesters' accusations of corruption and says he will not quit.
President Mikhail Saakashvili has rejected the protesters' accusations of corruption and says he will not quit.
Police used tear gas and water cannon after thousands of protesters tried to reclaim Rustaveli Avenue - Tbilisi's main thoroughfare.
Police used tear gas and water cannon after several thousand protesters tried to reclaim Rustaveli Avenue - Tbilisi's main thoroughfare.
The BBC's Matthew Collin in Tbilisi says the police action provoked chaos among the demonstrators, sending them running for cover.
The BBC's Matthew Collin in Tbilisi says the police action provoked chaos among the demonstrators, sending them running for cover.
The protesters say the police response demonstrates Mr Saakashvili's authoritarian tendencies.
Mr Saakashvili has rejected the allegations against him
Mr Saakashvili has rejected the allegations against him
The protesters say the police response demonstrates Mr Saakashvili's authoritarian tendencies.
The opposition said police had arrested two of its leaders and beaten several of its supporters during an earlier raid.
The opposition said police had arrested two of its leaders and beaten several of its supporters during an earlier raid.
The authorities said they had to act to unblock the city's main thoroughfare and stop protesters from setting up a tent camp there. A government official said the rally could continue on the pavement.
The authorities said they had to act to unblock the city's main thoroughfare and stop protesters from setting up a tent camp there. A government official said the rally could continue on the pavement.
'Baseless' allegations
'Baseless' allegations
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 want a fresh election.
They are calling for the president's resignation and want a fresh election.
Mr Saakashvili has accused Russia of stirring up the unrest, and has recalled Georgia's ambassador to Moscow for consultations.
Many of the protesters back the president's former ally, Irakli Okruashvili, who was arrested last month.
Many of the protesters back the president's former ally, Irakli Okruashvili, who was arrested last month.
Mr Okruashvili was detained 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.
Mr Okruashvili was detained 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".
The government says Mr Okruashvili's accusations are "false and baseless".
Have you been affected by these protests? Did you take part in today's demonstrations? Please send your comments by using the form below.
Have you been affected by these protests? Did you take part in today's demonstrations? Please send your comments by using the form below.
